I am writing this from Boynton Beach, Fla, where I am visiting both my Mom and my mother-in-law - two amazing women. Now, you may think I am writing from a negative point of view, I am not, my perspective is neutral if possible.
So, how is it motivating to be in this particular area of Florida where the average age is perhaps 75? I am not being statistical about this, just estimating from my own eyes.
My thoughts are -- in 25 years when I am in approaching my 80's, I want to be able to :
- Speak clearly, see and hear everything around me and still drive safely.
- I want to be talking about what is happening today and tomorrow with joy.
- I want to look forward to getting up and out and doing something physical every day.
- I want to be able to say every day is a gift and if I die tomorrow, I will be fine about it all.
- I want my life to be celebrated by those I leave at whatever age I may be -- so I better get working on that now!
Aging with Energy for me, is not about how long I may live, but how well. For me, it is not about how many homes I have or trips I will take, but do I wake up in the morning with even the simplest reason to get out of bed regardless of what I see around me. My mother and I have a friend who just celebrated her 80th birthday and lives her life sitting in a chair -- she is filled with joy and people around her who continually celebrate her life.
My father died when I was 22 - he was 50. My mother was young and suddenly left alone. My father was in a terrible accident, but the one thing he was doing was having FUN. He was on a moped he rented on a vacation trip. We mourned our loss: but life had to go on, as did my mother. She had a lot on her plate, she was filled with challenges. She had to rise to the occasion, which she did with great success - she had no choice.
Life is about living, not waiting to slow down. So I write this because I am here in Florida and simply reflecting on what I see around me.
In a few minutes I will go out for my morning walk. I will see so many different people, each whom if I stopped to talk with would have different stories to tell. I don't know if they are alone or not - but I know what I see and so many of these folks are simply trying to enjoy each day and stay on their feet.
I 'm sometimes saddened when I see others with wide spread middles, hunched over dinner plates filled with fat, salt and sugary foods. This applies to young people as well. I overhear the conversations of who just died, who is in the hospital, how insurance won't pay for the medications needed and of course, now how after working and saving for so many years, they now have little to live on. Clearly, these are not uplifting conversations -- but, what I feel like asking is, is there anything you can think of right now that has brought you joy --just today?
For sure, I am not qualified, nor entitled to judge at my young age of 54. I am not a child of the depression, I grew up with all that I needed and for that I am grateful, so as I see wrinkles on my own face and my skin loosening with gravity, I have to ask what will I be like? What will my generation be in their 80's - soon enough?
I just pray when I am 80 years old, if I get there, because who knows what the universe has in store for me, that I will remember what I am writing about now, and still be in some way able to take my morning walk, look up at the sun and say: -- OK... another day that I can walk outside, breathe deeply and do something I love.
A few days ago, I sat in a professional seminar with doctors, nurses, therapists, nutritionists and more listening to an "expert" lay out cold hard facts: we ( the boomers) are simply living longer than we were ever meant to and science is just catching up with the "how to's of this thing we have labeled " longevity." There are no magic pills: no, not even vitamins. We can nip and tuck, roll over foam wedges and take as many Pilate's classes as there are colors, to look young -- but for me "aging with energy" starts in my head and then I have to find a way to keep it flowing into my body. I hope to appreciate each day I can do both - whatever and for however long that may be - even with my own life challenges - no one is free of that.
So, if the time comes when either my mind or my body can not do what I direct it to do, I pray I will still be "aging with energy."
Are you AGING WITH ENERGY?
I would love to hear my readers thoughts and feeling about it!
Please share your thoughts here... as well as your age if you are willing - or just the decade!!!
