Ask a handful of people to describe what comes to mind when they hear the word “old.” You might be surprised at the variety of answers you would receive. That’s because “old” is a word that carries a surprising mixture of connotations, not all of which are negative. Sure, there are definitely those who would associate “old” with words like “obsolete” or “weak”. Or you might hear common phrases like “past her prime” and the always-popular “over the hill”. Such expressions indicate how readily our culture relegates the latter years of life to a period of steady decline—not only in physiological health but also in social prominence, personal originality and cultural relevance.
One of the most renown doctors in the field of natural health and wellness, Dr. Andrew Weil, asks the question, “Does the worth of human life diminish with age?”, and his response is that unfortunately in many circles, it does. With this kind of mindset, is it any wonder that many seniors react to the prospect of aging with dread and despair? In other words, instead of gearing up, they give up.
Fortunately, this is not the only perception of aging. In some circles, the message about aging is more positive. Elders are seen as wise, mature, seasoned and experience. They are respected and revered. Growing old does not mean you will become senile, nor does it mean that you will become unproductive, unengaged or inflexible. Just how you age is a personal decision. Be mindful of that and reap the rewards of a healthy mixture of acceptance and enthusiasm.