Aging Can Be Amazing!

In our society, women in particular are cast in negative stereotypes as they age. Why not extinguish the negative myths and embrace aging instead of trying to turn back the hands of time? By simply thinking about aging differently and treating it as an amazing period in life we can overcome the notion that aging is a curse. Everyone is getting older. A newborn baby is aging the moment it enters the world. Everything on this earth is aging and nothing can stop it. It is a natural, beautiful process. Look at a beautiful old tree. Do you think to yourself "that's an old tree, I don't like it because I just like younger trees?" When you see a grand old building that has stood the test of time do you say "that's nice, but I prefer young buildings?" It is just as ridiculous to accept the notion that older human beings are unacceptable and need to alter themselves to look younger. But, all things need care and maintenance. Old trees need to be pruned, old buildings need to be painted and repaired, and humans need to care for their bodies. Having physical checkups, exercising, and eating a healthy diet help to keep the aging human in top form.

"Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art." Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt's quote is so inspiring. In her view older people are not offensive, instead she describes them as works of art. Maturity brings with it attributes that are valuable and should be cherished. The face of an older woman showing signs of time spent caring for children, nursing an elderly parent, holding together a shaky marriage, or suffering through a difficult divorce is a thing of beauty. The lines and changes in color and pigment of the skin are defining characteristics that tell a beautiful story unique to each individual.

While many opt to erase the markers of time with bot-ox, face-lifts, and chemical peels, it is in someways deceptive. Owning our authentic self by honoring the passage of time allows us to escape the trap of trying to look younger and spend time living in this moment in time.

"We don't stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing." George Bernard Shaw.

We are taught that growing old is a bad thing. We are taught to put away childish things when we grow up. But, giving up all the habits of youth may not be wise. Doing what you enjoy and staying active and playing as Shaw puts it, keeps you in the game. It all boils down to an attitude. If you believe your old age will be a time of illness and inactivity it will be so. If you believe that you will have a healthy vibrant experience as you age, chances are much greater that you will be awesome as you age . Of course, heredity plays a factor and illness and disease may be inevitable. However, a recent study conducted regarding exercise and arthritis found that: "Not only does exercise make most people feel better, perform physical tasks better and reduce the risk of disability due to arthritis, it now appears that exercise – specifically, resistance training – actually rejuvenates muscle tissue in healthy senior citizens." Simon Melov, PhD, and Mark Tarnopolsky, MD, PhD, of McMaster University Medical Center in Hamilton, Ontario, led a team to analyze gene expression involved in age-related mitochondrial function. http://www.arthritis.org/exercise-reverse-aging.php

If you ever have the opportunity to experience the National Senior Games you will be inspired to exercise. The games are a testimony to the power of exercise and how it transforms and sheds years naturally. Watching the competitors, one is amazed at the agility and spirit exhibited in every event at every age. Masters competitions start at the age of 40, but the games also host events for sub-masters age 35-39. The oldest competitor's age group is 90 and over.

Growing older does not have to mean the end of the road to romance, love and an active sex life. Every individual is different and the importance of a love relationship will vary from one person to another. We all have choices and can have the life we desire. Studies show that If a romantic relationship with a spouse or significant other is important it can be achieved at any age. Even the miracle of childbearing is a reality beyond the physiological boundary of menopause with new technologies.

"Charming, alarming, somewhat disarming, a joy to behold is the beauty of a woman who is proud to be old" by Sharon Harvey.

Just by changing the way we think about aging, we can change the way we feel and begin to change how others feel about getting older. The energy we emit at age 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100 can be just as powerful as the energy we project in our youth. Thinking about aging as a positive continuum in the life cycle is the seed that can germinate and grow in the minds of mankind. Aging can be amazing if you believe it can!