Hey, a century ago people didn’t try to look younger. Are you kidding me? They didn’t live long enough to look old! Life expectancy at the time was only 46 years old for men, 48 for women.
In 2015, U.S. life expectancy is about 76 (men), 80 (women).
But rather than bask in the glow of aging, we deny the aging process and get painful procedures done to try to fool others’ eyes…and our own.
In the end, our efforts take a toll on us, not just physically, but mentally. We expend time and energy thinking about how not to change, when change is natural and inevitable. We need to shift our words and thoughts to positive ones on aging.
I propose we stop saying negative things about our changing body and changing life. Not because “the alternative to aging is death,” as some people say, but because there is good in aging…and that’s not talked about enough.
When I ask people if they would go back to their youth, they tell me, “No way!”
Why? Because growing older has its merits. We often make better decisions and better choices — in love, business, and health. Let’s embrace the wisdom that our years have brought us.
Challenge for the Month:
Try saying one positive thing about growing older every week, watch your friends freak out but then agree with you.
Counter ageism and negative comments about aging when you hear them. Tell people you love aging! Remember, too, your brain believes what you tell it so you have nothing to lose.
Buy a birthday card that has a positive message about aging. They are tough to find.
Here’s my reframe on a wrinkle on my face. It’s a ditty about a small aspect of my aging. I used to get a blemish every month, now I don’t as my skin is not prone to that. When I thought about it, I said, “Yay, another gift of aging!”
I realized I preferred having a wrinkle more than a blemish.
Ode to a Wrinkle
By Kira Reginato
It appeared when I was about 48
A little vertical line right below the middle of my bottom lip
Hard to notice
I said “hello” and wondered if it would grow wider or longer or deeper and which might happen first
I noticed that if I wore makeup, it would show up better,
since people strained to see it when I proudly tried to point it out
I was in the car and saw it and said,
“Happy to see you!”
I acknowledged that my wrinkles are proof of the smiles and surprised faces I have made over time
Thank you, face, for showing me how I have shown my emotions
Then I noticed a grey eyebrow hair, just one…
Hear this podcast on The Gifts of Aging to deepen your appreciation of all you have lived through so far. Click Here.
Enjoy!