Aging gracefully is an art that everyone should master.
By madonna143
@madonna143 (1737)
Philippines
December 30, 2006 4:26pm CST
I have seen some of my friends who does age gracefully. One is 78 years old male the other one is 71 Female and the other is 61 Female. They all look 20 years younger than they should. They are quite happy and contented and simply enjoying their lives. They always tell me to save up so that when I age like them my life would be a lot easier. When I was 17 they were my friends already. It is nice to be with them because you learn a lot of things and I get to eat out more often! Do you know how to age gracefully? Is it really true that aging gracefully is an art that everyone should master?
10 people like this
47 responses
@rainbow (6761)
•
30 Dec 06
I think that the older people have much they can teach us if we have the patience to listen.
I am not sure I can manage gracefully but enjoyably and gently are probably withing my reach.
I try to keep young and have only a vague idea what ishappening in the real world as it upsets me, mine is so much calmer.
@madonna143 (1737)
• Philippines
2 Jan 07
Well I guess that's why they call it mid life crisis. I would not one to skip middle age because that is the time that you prepare for the inevitable, a passage towards being old. Acceptance would be easier with this passage.
@SplitZip (1488)
• Portugal
4 Jan 07
Well, over here people prepare for "the inevitable" only when they are really old. Maybe it's because we always leave everything till the very last moment! -- eg: x-mas shopping at 10 PM Dec. 24th ;)
A lot of people today say that "life starts at 50", but I think that's because people live longer now and they also have more money to enjoy their middle-aged years. However, from my point of view, I don't find any appeal to that particular time of a person's life. Although I know that, if I want to live for a long time, I'll have to go through it. It's a bit sad :(
But I'm also one of those people who never looked their age. So maybe I can keep it up for a long time and look young till my late 60's ;)
I think "aging gracefully" doesn't really refer to looking younger than one's age though. I think it is, quite differently, looking exactly your age and being comfortable with it. That probably requires a peace of mind which I don't really have. It also depends on a lot of things, some people's life styles make them age considerably. If you have many personal or health problems, then you probably won't be able to age gracefully.
@loved1 (5328)
• United States
4 Jan 07
I decided a long time ago to be happy no matter what age I was. I think being content is the key to aging gracefully. I love that you have friends who are older. I also have friends who are in their later years and I love to listen to their words of wisdom.
1 person likes this
@madonna143 (1737)
• Philippines
30 Dec 06
My mom also does that to most people. she is 61 but looks like forty. Her other sisters who are younger than her look a lot older than her. I guess that people should just take care of their body like how they eat and exercise.
@Perry2007 (2229)
• Philippines
4 Jan 07
Count me in this topic, Aging gracefully is an art that everyone should master, when you start aging it shows at around 35, you actually become concerned when wrincles and white hairs begin to show, your natural reaction is to hide the evidence, and becomes interested on topics like this one, perhaps when you age more you would understand what aging gracefully means, for me that is all in the mind.
@Lillith (774)
• United States
30 Dec 06
I think it is great that you have such a wonderful influence in your life. Aging gracefully may be an art,yes, but I think it also depends on other factors, such as genetics and lifestyle. I have always tried to take care of my appearance and I have tried to lead a mostly happy life. But a lot of times you meet people your age or younger who have had very hard lives, their appearance is going to SHOW it. It also has to do with personal choices made during your life. I do feel that people who have lots of money tend to have a better chance of "aging gracefully" as they can afford all the perks to keeping themselves young. :)
1 person likes this
@marciascott (25529)
• United States
1 Jan 07
Yes I think its an Art. take care of yourself so when you do get that age you will look as good as them.
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
8 Jan 07
hahah, you are young my friend. Wait until you are older, then ask this question. It isn't as easy as you think, no matter how young your mind stays.
@luzamper (1357)
• Philippines
30 Dec 06
Aging is a continuing process, we cannot stop it until we die. Those who have more in life and enjoy the refinements in life have better chances of retaining looks much younger than their age. But this is not always the case. Even if you are rich if your attitude towards life is not good, you will look much older than your age. And so it depends upon the disposition of the person, the outlook in life plays an important role to aging physically. I think to make yourself look younger than your age is an art, it can be done, but with all the problems surrounding our lives, it's difficult.
@omkar311 (32)
• United States
31 Dec 06
Yes, it's very true. Your heart should be always young. They say, count your age in temrs of your friends, not years. Among the few things essential to maintain a good health while aging are good exercise, meditation and a healthy diet.
@inday312saylon (747)
• Philippines
17 May 07
I adore women who age gracefully. One is my mom, she's now 65 years old but she looks 50 only. So I intend to age gracefully, too. I play badminton a lot, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, and use anti-aging cream on my face. The best way to age gracefully is to lead a happy life and have peace and contentment.
@birthlady (5609)
• United States
31 Dec 06
I have always loved being with my elders, of all cultures, of all ages, because, as you are, I learned so much. Yes, I think aging gracefully is an art we all may master with appropriate exposure, and adoption of lifestyle and attitude. I'm now 52, ancient to some; "girl" to others, and I am grateful.
@pendragon (3350)
• United States
31 Dec 06
How do you taech someone to age gracefully, other than having them not abuse their bodies starting early on?
@GardenGerty (157723)
• United States
31 Dec 06
The happiness, joy, and interest in younger people is part of what makes your friends so attractive. Avoiding extremes of diet, sun exposure and bad habits, help age gracefully as well. Smoking will age you, extremely. Lucky you to have these friends and examples.
@taruha (559)
• United States
31 Dec 06
The aging gracefully is really an art which can not be mastered that easily.the three main factors to master this art are;remaining cheerful,perform yoga/pranayama/meditation with some physical exercises and have balanced diet.when these three factors are balanced,you will be able to master the art of aging gracefully.
@SageMother (2277)
• United States
31 Dec 06
I totally agree with you, as I look at my profile that says I am 52 when actually I will be just 51 in 7 days....lol.
I think that aging gracefully can happen only if you are allowed to be yourself before you start getting "old". Many people do not age gracefully because they have never b een comfortable with themselves. Aging just makes things worse. They continue to cling to youth because they have not accomplished those things set for them by others, and so they fear being a failure and try to create more time for accomoplishment. If they had been able to accept themselves completely, this failure would not be an issue. They would be ready to look back over their lives and accept the mistakes as human and not a sign of wekness. Then they would look forward to telling the sotires of their lives with great pride.
