Do You Love Life, Or Lack Life?
“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.” Da Vinci
Do something. Anything. Now. If it doesn’t turn out the way you would like, do something else. And keep doing something with your knowledge until something works.
That’s smart aging as well as feeling better in life. If you do not move as well as you would like, change how you move. Do something different. Stand taller, walk faster or slower, make up dance steps, balance on the balls of your feet, hop from one foot to the other, twist from the waist, squeeze imaginary balls in your hands, roll your shoulders, practice 10 squats. It’s endless the things you can do.Those who try things until something works, and they feel revitalized are the people who seem to remain young all of their lives. They become vibrant as they age. They don’t care if they look foolish, if they slip on the monkey bars, if they sit down on their ski’s the first couple of times. Eventually they get down the hill, they develop grip strength for the monkey bars, they feel less foolish trying new things.
Standing on one leg takes balance practice. At six, you could balance on one leg all day. But you are not six, and you haven’t practiced in decades. Lacking practice, should it be easy now? Get over your silly ideas about aging. Keep practicing. With time, balance will improve. With time, everything improves, even your “lack of” attitude about aging.
You did not learn to drive a car in one session, you crawled before you walked and walked before you ran. That same attitude works for everything that you do, from driving to technical skills, to better mobility through increased awareness, and aging.
Aging well comes from a position of love, not lack. I love to try new things; I am old enough now that I don’t care if no one approves. I wish I’d learned that 50 years ago. Because, apparently, I will do anything (battlefield tours in gnat infested high grass with daytime temperatures of 96 degrees, 100 percent humidity, or arguing with full-tenured history professors about their latest published book) my world is still big. There is no lack; no lack of mobility, balance, sleep loss, learning, cognitive ability, curiosity. Sometimes there is a lack of sense.
Knowing how to age well and taking action gives me freedom; it does not diminish my world. Instead of life getting smaller, instead of all the things I think I cannot do, my world is getting bigger and broader. I am doing interesting things, going fascinating places, challenging beliefs about how people my age should act. I am having a great time. This is fun.
That’s Aging Intelligently.