|
I remember meeting an "old man" on an airplane when I turned 20. He was 42, and he claimed that he was happier in his 40s than when he was 20, single, traveling the world and partying every night. His reason, I listened to dubiously, was that with age, he had figured some things out and learned about himself. He was no longer constantly searching. He knew how he reacted to things, how he related to people and what he could and couldn't do. He had found a wife and a career and was on his path. And though he didn't have much hair left, wasn't as fit as he once was, didn't sleep like he used to and his life was dominated by work, he was actually happier.
I didn't believe him then, but I do now. Having just turned 40, I've been researching and ruminating on aging and how it affects our daily lives and thought I'd share these quotes and insights with you.
TURNING THE CORNER AT 40
Funny enough, turning 40 DID make me feel older. It wasn't the years, though. It had more to do with the fact that to celebrate this milestone, I stayed up late with close friends several nights in a row. My baby and toddler weren't considerate enough to take into account that daddy was up having a scotch at 2:00 am, and that they should probably sleep in until 9:30 or 10:00.
At 40, many say that we are halfway "there." In the August of our lives. On the downhill slide. We get reading glasses (if we don't already have them), our back aches more and doctor visits become more common.
But let's take a moment to look at our aging process in a different light. Dara Torres (pictured at right), won three silver medals this summer swimming at the Beijing Olympics at age 41. Sure, she's the exception. But what's wrong with a little inspiration? She's so inspiring that last week, Lance Armstrong announced coming out of retirement thanks to Dara and other world class athletes in their late 30s and early 40s.
Regardless of our age, we're each as young as we will ever be, so here are five strategies to help us make the most of what we have now.
1. BE ACTIVE: This doesn't mean the usual advice to join a gym and work out 4 times a week. 30 minutes of brisk walking combined throughout the day is as good for you as a 30-minute walk (or run, in some cases). Stay on the move.
2. STOP FEELING BAD ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE NOT DOING: I remember the relief I experienced when, upon returning to the US from 8 months of meditative travel around Southeast Asia, I decided that it was OK if I didn't meditate every day. I immediately felt better. Maybe it's time to quit your gym and re-evaluate what is realistic for you right now. Just do something good for you and feel good about it.
3. NEW FUN: I was lamenting to my friend Chris about how our lives used to be all about fun and play, and now they are mostly work and very little fun. To help me see things in a more positive light, he coined a new term: New Fun. Stop comparing yourself to how you used to feel and look and all the things you used to do, and embrace your New Fun.
4. KNOW YOUR STAGE IN LIFE: A wise man once broke down the stages of life for me. He said, "In your 20s and 30s, you learn to make money. In your 40s and 50s, you learn to save money. And in your 60s and onward, you learn to give it away." What stage of life are you in?
5. EMBRACE THE GIFTS OF AGING: In Jack Canfield's book The Success Principles, he cites "The 16-40-60 Syndrome," which is one of the most brilliant bits of wisdom I have ever read. It says:
"When you're 16, you worry about what everyone thinks about you.
When you're 40, you stop caring about what people think about you.
And when you're 60, you realize that nobody has been thinking about you anyway. They've all been thinking about themselves."
Wherever you are in life, embrace it. Lower your expectations, be good to yourself, do something positive and feel good about it.
And remember George Burns' sage words when a beautiful young woman walked by late in his life: "Oh, to be 75 again!"
- Robert Graham
Robert Graham is the Principal of GrahamComm, LLC (www.grahamcomm.net), a consulting and training company that helps clients increase their sales and deliver outstanding presentations. He can be reached at 415-652-0763 or Robert@grahamcomm.net.
Re-Print Conditions
We offer this article on a nonexclusive basis. You may reprint or repost this material as long as Robert Graham’s name and contact information is included. Robert@grahamcomm.net, 415-652-0763, www.grahamcomm.net.
Back to Articles |
