It’s no secret that I love being in my forties. I know perhaps it’s a decade that doesn’t yet experience the “traumas” of older decades, but I feel strongly that if you’re not satisfied with your current age, you’ll struggle as you get older. There’s so much to celebrate as we age (greater wisdom, a better understanding of our purpose, less apologizing, etc) but too many people focus only on their appearances, which sends them in a never-ending spiral of disappointment. I for one am choosing to concentrate on the wonderful side of aging and have made it a goal that the second half of my life is going to be ten times better than the first half!
So I came across Christiane Northrup’s advice on aging and it’s worth sharing. She, like me, believes that the thoughts that are rolling around in your head can have a great influence on what you experience in life. And that what you focus on the most, becomes reality.
Here’s how I approach the “age” issue:
1. After the age of 50, tell people that you have entered your “ageless” years. And don’t mention your age again. Ageism is the last culturally acceptable “ism.” And it’s so prevalent that you can easily “catch” it if you dwell on a number.
2. Eliminate the term “senior moment” from your vocabulary. Catch yourself if you start to think, act, or talk “old.”
3. Eliminate the “organ recital” from your life. I can’t begin to tell you the number of people who sit around at restaurants and other places discussing their doctor visits, their diagnoses, their aches and pains, and so forth They expect to get sick as they age. And so they do! It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
These kinds of conversations are absolutely deadening to life force. If you have friends whose sole topic of conversation is ill health, you need to change your friends or limit your time with them. This might include family members.
4. Hang around with people who are actively pursuing a passion of some kind. My tango community has individuals who range in age from 20 to 70. And guess what? We all dance with each other and keep improving. Not a single person talks about medical problems. We’re too busy dancing and enjoying each other’s company.
5. There are some very clear life-style factors that keep you young. The first and most important is your belief in your ability to stay healthy and vibrant regardless of age. But after that, it’s what you actually do day in and day out that makes the difference. If you want to live well until the day you die, you simply must do exercise of some kind. I favor Pilates, yoga, dance, and walking. These endeavors have proved to me that it’s possible to keep getting better with age. I am now taller than I was at 32—all because of realignment through yoga and Pilates.
Finally, believe in something greater than what you see in front of you. I frankly do not believe in death, but I do believe in reincarnation. And the fact that we are all ancient and simply recycle. The way I see it, life is a big circle, not a straight line with a beginning and an end. This belief helps me keep everything in perspective and from dreading each passing year.
Life is meant to be enjoyed! Go for it—and skip the human growth hormone. Your own vitality is all you need.
—Christiane Northrup, M.D. June 2011
