Many of my friends have a fear of getting older. Not me. Yet anyway.
Thoughts About The Fear Of Getting Older
My birthday just came and went. Even though I’m not yet 40, the “old man” jokes have already started. But, when I look around at my friends and family that are in their 50′s and 60′s, I can see the rich lives they live. I know many people in their 50′s and 60′s who travel the globe, hunt, and fish. They hike from rim-to-rim of the Grand Canyon and take up mountain biking. They open a business, fail, and start again.
They ramp off the bank of a frozen lake on a sled, take their foray into computing, drum in a local band, and play tennis.
Just like “the younger folks.” (That’s a quote).
I don’t generally dwell much on age, but its my birthday. Toss in the fact that my 20th year high school reunion is being planned, and it seems natural to think about the subject a little.
I read recently that “older people” (whatever that means, exactly) often describe themselves as feeling younger than their chronological age. I would have to say that I can relate to that, as well. At 38, I don’t “feel” like I would have expected, even now that I’m sneaking up on 40.
Much of the research now is suggesting that “subjective age” may have more to do with how we deal with aging than even our chronological age. Most evidence suggests that having a positive outlook on aging and staying physically active will improve our mobility and cognitive function much later into life. These techniques go a long way to help us in our pursuit of anti-aging strategies.
The truth is, the first 18-25 years of life is spent trying to “find ourselves.” We spend that time learning, growing, and trying to determine who we’re going to be when we grow up. And that’s how it should be. But even if you’re a student until the ripe old age of 25, for most of us, that still leaves another 50+ years of life. That’s a lot of time. It’s time to learn and grow, without the pressures of trying to “learn who we are,” and the awkwardness that comes with the teenage years.
So I guess right now, I’m about halfway through my statistically allotted time. I’m fortunate enough to be blessed with a wonderful wife, great kids, friends and family.
There’s a long time left.
