Thoughts on Aging

 A very dear friend of mine once told me that with every ten years that pass, you will see and feel a marked difference. I have become more aware of her true words as each decade goes by.

I have no problem with getting older; after all, it's inevitable and there is no use in fighting it. What we do, and what we reap from it, determines how we deal with it.

We need to do our best to stay healthy and active. As the old saying goes, "if you don't keep moving, then eventually you can't move at all." Getting some exercise each day is a must.

We need to keep our minds active in order to stay sharp. Whether we like to read, write, do crossword puzzles, or a myriad of other things, the more we do the sharper our minds remain.

Socialization is vital. Stay in touch with family and friends; gather together as much as possible. These connections not only keep us active, but also boost our energy and mental well-being. Plus, connecting with younger relatives keeps us current with the youth of today, and can also make us feel younger.

There will be days as we age when our bodies will not always cooperate. Many times I am surprised when something that was so easy to do in younger days now seems to take a bit more effort. No matter how active we are, time still can be cruel. However, we must continue to push forward in order to remain strong and able.

From time to time we will be forgetful; I attribute this to the fact that we have so many years of information stored in our brains. Who could possibly remember everything that has gathered there over the years? Do some memorization exercises, and don't let it bother you if you have to keep a to-do list.

A few simple truths about getting older:

• We have acquired many years of wisdom; share this with those you love.
• We are fortunate to have so many memories to warm our hearts.
• We can finally feel free to let some things go.
• We are kinder to ourselves when we look at our reflection in the mirror.
• We have come to call them laugh lines and not wrinkles.
• We cherish every day because we know we are not immortal.

Unfortunately time will pass whether we like it or not. There will be days that our bodies give us a hard time; we just need to give ourselves more time to move forward. We can't stop the aging process, and the truth is we shouldn't try; we have earned every wrinkle, every ache or pain. Embrace the changes age brings, and be grateful for each day that is put before us.