Aging Strong

All posts in the Aging Strong category

Being the change

Published June 14, 2009 by Cheryl

2009-06-02-helen3“We are the change we want to see in the world.”

Barrack Obama

Yes, this quote is similar to Ghandi’s “Be the change you want to see in the world.” And, I find both inspiring; so much so that I am working to make some life-style changes that affect how I am moving, how I am eating, how I am thinking and how I am aging.

Helen is a delightful example of a woman who can do anything, play extremely varied parts well and look beautiful in the process. Add another person to list of my role-models.

What change do you want to see in the world? I want to see people staying healthy and vibrantly alive — beginning with me of course :) !  I want to see all of us living joy, passion and absolute delight in our lives. The truth is, I know that all of this is possible when we take the steps to make it happen: when I am/we are the change!

Obama won with a platform foundationaly rooted in change, hope and a commitment to personal responsibility. Whatever we want to see happen, we can be the change we want to be in the world. Let’s go for it!

Continued Amazement

Published June 13, 2009 by Cheryl

dave brubeck_thumbEveryone is the age of their heart.

Guatemalan Proverb

I love to collect role models for how I envision growing into an even more vibrantly alive, older woman. I have created a marvelous list and it is growing daily. This morning my friend Beth told an  inspiring story about how Dave Brubeck loves to play the piano and to perform. It excites and thrills him. Dave is 88 years old and still performing.You go Dave!!!

I am continually amazed at how strong and vital people stay when they are doing things that they love. I wonder, do our hearts stay young when they are filled with joy and a passion for what we are doing? I know that when I am doing something I love time stands still and my body is often humming with happiness.

I am going to take a lesson from Dave, how about you?

Blessings! C~


Creative Aging

Published June 5, 2009 by Cheryl

2009-06-02-gloriaThe future is not someplace we are going, but one we are creating. The paths to it are not found, but made  . . . .

John Schaar

What pictures do you carry in your mind about how you will look, feel and behave when you get older? What does 75 look like? This picture to the left is Gloria Steinem at 75. What do you  want to do as you age? What abilities will you hold onto as you age and which of them will be gone?

Our marvelous mind holds many stereotypes, including stereotypes about the process of aging. growing older What is your vision for aging? Are you happy with it, OR would you like to re-create the stereotype of yourself as an older person? Linked to the stereotype is a ‘self-fulfilling prophecy’. We become what we believe and what we see. What do you see?

We have the ability to create our future — how we age, what we can do in the world, how active we are, how happy we are . . .moving beyond simply being to being happy, joyful and playful.

Care to create together? Much of my focus now is on helping people, me too, become engaged with their own aging process.  I love the prospect of this challenge and look forward to your comments. Aging happens minute to minute. We create our future selves by  each small choice, by how we think and by what we expect. Let’s expect the best. Join me in playing with the process!

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