I have been thinking about aging – getting older. Getting older is not the same as getting old. Everyone, even an infant, is getting older day by day. It’s a natural growth process. It’s the way of life on this earth. And we accept that. We even embrace it until we reach a certain age, then we tend to protest against it.
Regardless of what age we are, so much about getting older is perspective and attitude. I would say it is totally about that, but I have a mirror. There is no denying that I don’t look the same as I did when I was a kid or even as a young adult, so I know that there is definitely a physical side to aging. Our physical bodies do show signs of age and they do wear out in time. Things wrinkle, things sag, things no longer work the way they used to. That is the physical side of getting older. But getting old is definitely an attitude.
We cannot change the aging process. But we can monitor our attitude. People can be old at 40 if they think they’re old. And people can be young at 80 because of their attitude. Of course, we can help our attitude by taking care of our physical bodies, but even someone who is in good physical shape can sabotage themselves by negative thoughts. And someone who isn’t so physically fit can be full of vim and vigor because of their positive thoughts.
And perspective? That’s readily identifiable. I look at my granddaughter who is about to turn 21. She is so incredibly young and innocent. But when I was 21, I was very mature and wise (at least that is what I thought at the time!) Perspective! Neither observation is completely accurate, but we form these opinions based on our perspective. To a younger person, someone ten years older than they are, is ancient. To an older person, someone 10 years older is a peer.
Think about childhood. Young children are blissfully ignorant of the aging process. They are never worried about the future. Each day to them is an exciting adventure. Their responsibilities are few. Their enjoyment level is high. Their anticipation of the future is bright – so much so, that often they don’t want to sleep because they’re afraid they’ll miss something.
Then children get a little older and they’re ready for school. This may begin their awareness of the aging process. They go to kindergarten, and they’re told that next year they will go to first grade, then to second grade and so on. They start to grasp the idea that they must have another birthday before they can get to the next grade. So they are filled with anticipation for their birthdays (and birthday parties). This leads to children wanting to be older. Ask a 9 year old his age, and if his birthday was longer ago than yesterday, he will probably say, “I’m 9 ½“. Being older is a badge to be proudly worn.
It seems once children reach a double-digit age, the quest to be 13 begins. This age represents a rite of passage into becoming a grown up. Being 13 means that they are a teenager, which is not only a source of pride, but also the onset of obtaining independence which unfortunately is also the onset of a lot of struggles for the parents. Following shortly after 13, is the almost consuming desire to be 16. Driving is the pinnacle achievement for a teenager’s freedom. However, this is followed quickly by wishing for the magic age of 18. Eighteen is marked by well-deserved accolades for accomplishments like graduating from high school, going to college, or preparing for a career. It is also the age of reveling in independence, feeling invincible and being sure that all knowledge and wisdom has now been attained.
A few years later, another milestone is achieved, which is 21. Children are now adults. They have finally arrived. The world is their oyster. They are no longer subject to the confines of parental rule. They call their own shots now. They will show everyone how life is really supposed to be lived. Thus, childhood ends.
After reaching 21, however, something changes. There are no more age-milestones that need to be achieved. Adulthood has arrived. And now the aging process starts to be reckoned by decades. You are now in your 20’s, and you’ll soon be in your 30’s and so forth. And as you get older, you recall your life the same terms. “I remember when I was in my 30’s…” Another result of this 10-year age reckoning is that you sometimes stress about that birthday that ushers in a new decade. Forty seems so much older than 39, while 41 isn’t much older than 40 at all. Attitude and perspective!
Something else remarkable happens during this time – the decades begin to fly past in a blink of an eye. Just yesterday, you were in your 20’s and now you’re in your 50’s. How did that happen? How did all those years pass so quickly? Where did they go? Just a few years ago when you were 17, the year it took to become 18 was an eternity. And each school-year that you lived seemed to drag on forever. But nowadays, it’s January, then it’s Christmas and then it’s January again before you know it.
Getting older is going to happen. It’s the way of life. But it’s what we do in our minds that makes all the difference. Being a Christian is the greatest aid we have for positive thinking. Knowing that we’re saved and going to heaven takes the edge off getting older because it eliminates the fear of dying. We also know that God is able to provide for us and heal us no matter how old we are. So, what’s a few more decades? Being born again fills us with life-giving spirit that can energize our bodies regardless of our age.
I think of it like this… Age is merely a number. I am the age that I am. I can’t change that. God made the law of time. What I can change, however, is my attitude. Even if my body feels older than dirt, I can still feel young at heart. I can still believe that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I can determine to hold on to those thoughts rather than listen to my body’s constant complaining. I’m not careless to think that I haven’t aged. I recognize my physical limitations. (I can’t do back bends and splits like I used to; and I’m not shocked when I look in the mirror – most of the time.) But I don’t have to let those limitations drag me down. I can be vibrant and blessed if I choose to be so.
Kids are always yearning for time to pass, while adults are often yearning for time to slow down. Kids wish to be older. Adults wish to be younger. It’s a fairly universal condition. However, no amount of yearning or wishing changes time’s progression. The best thing we can do for ourselves is enjoy right where we are, today.
Right now, exactly where I am, is where all those decades have transported me. All the good years and all the bad years have culminated in today. I can’t change the past and I don’t know what the future holds. So, I might as well learn to live life to the fullest today. Because, before I know it, today will be yesterday and I won’t be able to change it. With God’s help, we all can grow older grace-fully. (think about it)
I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. Psalm 37:25
Note to my readers: The best part about getting older is all the friends that the years have provided. Thanks for reading!