Posted On June 18, 2015

Do Images of Aging Scare You?

Reprinted with permission

Have you ever wondered what the images of aging really look like?  What is your perception of aging?

Some people believe it has both mystical and spiritual aspects of life, or it’s a dream manifested in the mind of every individual, a dream that sets the stage for purposeful and meaningful living. Sometimes life seems as if it is patterned after a roller coaster or a bell-shaped curve. Regardless of the shape it presents, to some life is like fine silk threads woven with intensity of high values framed into a kaleidoscopic blanket of multi-colors and many splendored things, and to others, it is a mix of challenges, crisis and opinions.

Use your imagination, visualize life’s journey as a bell shaped curve with new beginnings, a middle and end.  Then visualize it as a combination of both roller coaster and a bell-shaped curve. The roller-coaster effect depicts life’s vicissitudes that frivolously chart our emotional and sometimes physical challenges that happen to us, by us, and for us.  Now, visualize the bell-shaped curve (also known as the learning curve) as the progressive path of choices, options, and opportunities as one transitions through phases of life into a new decade with options and opportunities from birth to death.

Bell Curve of Life

If you will, take a sentimental journey to the top of your life’s bell-shaped curve to view increments of decades beyond your teens, 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s – see each transitioned phase with their own discoveries of growth, learning curves, physical, mental, psychological, and social changes.  What has transpired during these decades and life spans, chronicles your history and has earned you the status of belonging to an elite group known as ‘Mat-Gen’s’- the Mature Generation — baby boomers, seniors and centenarians .  It’s a credentialed status, a gift of life earned and well deserved.  At this stage in life, new beginnings are filled with memories and possibilities as one looks forward to their ‘bonus years’.

Let your image of aging reflect a positive attitude and your vertical connection to your higher being.  These tools are the sustainable keys to life satisfaction and connection to one’s positive Image of Aging and perception of self.  Image is everything – it reflects you, it is your beam of light into your ‘authentic self’ shown from the inside of which you are and what you represent to the outside world.  It is not your finances or material wealth, it is Y-O-U.  Learn to “chase your passion, not your pension.” ~ Dennis Waitley

Images of Aging are about the many starts and stops along life’s path, leading to a journey of maturity.  It could be the happiest period in life as it reflects new beginnings when you make the big shift into your bonus years. Prime time aging is a perfect time to use your portfolio of knowledge; skills, experience and wisdom you’ve accumulated over the years to transfer into ‘life skills’ for the next generation.

Priorities for the Ageless Journey:

  1. Identify your ideas and perceptions about aging
  2. Cultivate and maintain a positive attitude
  3. Embrace a spiritual connection to your higher being
  4. Stay socially active and connected to friends
  5. Make healthy choices – lifestyle, diet and exercise

© Barbara Penn-Atkins. Author of 70 is the New 40 – Bonus Years Here We Come  
www.sunrisebeginnings.com