Growing old is linear, but aging is not

The ecstasy of getting older can be hard to achieve. Especially when we look in the mirror and see the lines of wisdom on our face, the grey hair poking out the top of our scalp, or feel the aches and pains in our bodies when we get out of bed. But getting older is not something we should wish away. It is a process we should be rejoicing in and enjoying every second.

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a present. We all love presents so let’s enjoy our present.

Getting older is a privilege that is sadly denied to many

If you are reading this then you are one of the lucky ones that still gets to enjoy this world and all the beauty it gives us. But what if we are not enjoying this life as we are too busy focusing on getting old?

Well, you have to shift your perspective and embrace getting older. Look at it as joy, the joy of not caring so much about what people say about you. The joy of having the strength to stand up for yourself. The joy of doing what you want, when you want.

We can lead fulfilling lives and inspire others to do and feel the same. I am sure those of you who are living fulfilling lives now have many friends who will say

 “ I wish I could do that but I can’t”  The only way you can do “THAT “ is to do it. Do you want to draw well? Take an hour a day to sketch and see how well you can draw at the end of the year. Do you want to cook better meals? Watch some YouTube videos, then cook, mess up and do it again. Do you want to play the guitar? Practice until your fingers are hurting and then pick it back up the next day. Behind every person who does something you admire, there are countless hours, failures, and do-overs. Nothing comes without hard work.

Life is a journey of ups and downs

Not always ecstasy

The ups and downs are there to teach us. As life is all about learning.

So why do we not celebrate this journey and cherish the experiences we have in life whether good or bad?

Celebrating our lives and cherishing them means we continue to grow in wisdom and happiness.

Getting older is a natural part of life the same as death is a natural part of life. We never know when that knock on the door will come and it is our time to depart. So it is important to make whatever time we have on this beautiful earth of ours as fulfilling and joyful as we can.

I embrace this journey of mine and celebrate the freedom and inner joy I feel every day. I look out my window when the sun is rising listen to the birds and say I am so lucky.

One day I was talking to a Cambodian lady about getting older. She looked amazing and I asked her if I could take her picture for my blog about age. She looked down and replied “ No.” I asked her why and she explained she looked old and when she was young she was beautiful. She was still beautiful.

We talked for a while about how important it is to embrace this process of life, to nurture ourselves and to have a positive outlook on life.

She asked me how I embrace getting older. I smiled and said that life is a present I am lucky to receive.

How do I ….

1 – Instead of viewing getting older in a negative way, think of it as a privilege to be alive. Not many people have reached the age you are now. Life is an opportunity for growth. Each stage life brings us is a unique experience full of wisdom and opportunities for self-discovery.

At 53 I have built my website, learned psychology and I am learning to read and write Khmer. Learning this hard language gives me so much joy and pleasure. As I am still alive and luckily I still have the brain to learn. Many years ago that was nearly taken away from me for good.

2 – Reflect on the achievements you have made in life. The milestones you have reached. Recognise the skills and knowledge you have acquired along the way and celebrate your successes and failures.

3 – Prioritise your mental, physical and emotional well-being. Take care of your body, as you are what you eat and what you do. Eat a balanced diet, exercise and have regular health check-ups, as prevention is better than cure.

4 – Absorb and cultivate relationships with friends, family and your local community. Stay socially engaged in activities to promote mental health. Seek opportunities for connection and companionship. Meaningful relationships can provide support, joy and a sense of belonging.

Takeaway

The longer you live, the more you lose. But as you lose people and things, life becomes even more precious. When you stop taking things for granted, you appreciate and enjoy what you have even more.

Accept the things you can’t change. Many things in life are beyond our control. Rather than stressing out over them, focus on the things you can control such as the way you choose to react to problems.

As the saying goes, “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.” When facing major challenges, try to look at them as opportunities for personal growth. If your own poor choices contributed to a stressful situation, reflect on them and learn from your mistakes. Look for the silver lining. 

When a challenge seems too difficult to deal with do not sweep it under the carpet. Ignoring the problem doesn’t make it go away; it allows both the problem and your anxiety to build. Instead, take things one small step at a time. Even a small step can go a long way to boosting your confidence and reminding you that you are not powerless.

You are alive