How do you know when it’s time?
It is clear to me in talking to hundreds of folks over 60-70, myself included, that they don’t feel old. They don’t feel much different than they did around 35. If they are in reasonable health, they still feel as though they should be able to move the couch across the room, tear up a flower bed, repaint the shed, left that planter, trim the hedge on a ladder. You know, all the stuff you have done all your life. Haven’t they always done those with ease? But there comes a time when a deep, calm voice inside says, “Defer this job”.
It stinks. You want to do it yourself. Accepting that you are the elder on your block, in your family, at the workplace, feels weird. “When did my youth slip away?”
I maintain however that youthful is a term equal to
creativity, wonder, innocence, joy, expression, expansion, curiosity, excitement and all those things are yours till the last day if you encourage them, commit to them.
How many people do you know who have let age contract them? Restrain them? Narrow their world for one reason or another? And what a tragedy when at 50,60, or 70, with good health and a sound mind, you have more time and less responsibilities which allow you to indulge all those attributes!
But you MUST take care of your health. Exercise is the fountain of youth, making friends help you see yourself as vital and connected, eating judiciously so you are light in your frame. All these things contribute to a happy third age.
Push back against gravity, open your mind to adventure, love generously, keep learning. There is still a butterfly or two in your life to let fly!
