Now that I am over 50 (aack – I’ve given away my age!), I think I have discovered the Fountain of Youth. The Fountain of Youth is the event of growing older. I know this may sound like a contradiction at first, but it is true. The secret of the Fountain of Youth is in the reflection of our lives as we grow older. It seems that someone 20 years younger than us is “young” and someone 20 years older than us is “old”. Of course, sometimes when we hit certain milestones we feel “old”. At 30, 40, and 50, I remember thinking, “Oh, I’m so old now.” Well, let me tell you, now 30 is looking pretty darn young! When I told my 98 year old friend that it was my father’s 80th birthday she said, “He is such a youngster!” That is when it hit me: youth is a matter of reflection on a long lived life.
Our culture has such an obsession with youth: avoid getting wrinkles, cover up grey hair; out with the old and in with the young. My hairdresser told me if I dyed my hair and cover up all my grey I would look seven years younger. Seven years. Why would I want to look 7 years younger? I do not get it. Maybe if I was applying for a job, or employed in some profession where youth rules, I would want to look as young as possible. But, since that is not the case, I am perfectly content looking and being the age I am.
If we are fortunate, we all get older. Aging can not be avoided. One of my favorite books, Growing Old is Not for Sissies by Etta Clark, contains photographs of senior athletes: fit and “old”. I do not mind getting older as long as I remain fit and active. The combination of exercise, healthy eating, staying involved in life, and minimizing stress is the other part of the “Fountain of Youth”. When people ask me why I exercise, I tell them I am training for my old age!
It is important to train your body, mind, and spirit in order to be at your best with each passing year. It is amazing how fast time flies. Why worry about each new wrinkle? Focus on how young you are compared to people 20 years older than you! You only have today. Yesterday is past. What choices are you making today to help you age gracefully? Remember, no matter how old you are now, there will be a time when you think, “How young I was then.”
Stop worrying about getting older. Enjoy yourself today! Welcome to the Fountain of Youth!
Namaste