Are You Afraid of Getting Older?

Let's face it, we are getting older. Some face it with grace, some with fear. If you fall into the latter category, I would say to you "fear not." Ever since we were born, we have continually gone through changes. Getting older is simply put, "just another change." To some, it's really no change at all. In an article I was reading in the Huffington Post, Keith Richard of the Rolling Stones  who is now seventy said:  “I’m still an apprentice. There’s always stuff to learn. I wouldn’t be surprised if were doing this in 10 years and Mick [age 70] will still be able to do amazing pirouettes.” In other words, age is of little importance to him.  Ringo's is seventy three, here's his opinion: “As long as I can hold the sticks, it [making music] can go on forever; it’s something you don’t have to retire from.”

To some getting older is a dramatic change, such as Grace Slick (Jefferson Airplane), and Joni Mitchell. I particularly enjoyed Grace Slick's take on the whole thing, (she hasn't changed much.)  Even though some take becoming older harder than others, I believe there is a common sense answer to help some cope with the change. It's something so obvious, it's hidden, yet it is in each of us.

The answer to beating the fear of aging is the full belief you will still enjoy the passions you had when you were younger. Everyone has some sort of passion, be it music, writing, painting, landscaping, mechanical repair, fashion, cooking, photography, teaching,  pretty much you name it. These passions have no age limit. That something you enjoy, doesn't know if you are eight or eighty! In fact, the older we become, the more we are attracted to our passions, and we will then have the time to enjoy them.

You'll have the chance to do what you want to do, instead of what you have to do. There's a lot to be said for that. Stop and think a moment about the things you are passionate about, the things you enjoy doing. Then go for it. When you do that, you'll become a believer that chronological age is nothing more than a number, and you will be happier, more productive, and fearless of getting older.