Aging: What are the Expectations vs. Reality Factors
What real ‘Old Persons’ can tell us
When it Comes to Aging: What are the Expectations vs. Reality Factors?
“A human being would certainly not grow to be 70 or 80 years old if this longevity had no meaning for the species to which he belongs. The afternoon of human life must also have a significance of its own and cannot be merely a pitiful appendage to life’s morning.” ~Carl Jung
If you haven't yet reached the age of thrity, you probably think this question is unimportant and irrelavent to your present circumstance. If you've reached the age of forty, you’ve most likely have given this question a passing thought. If you’ve passed the age of sixty years, it’s on your mind a lot.
Of course, there is credible information written on the subject of aging everywhere. A simple Google search will render pages and pages of articles filled with medical and scientific facts and conjectures.
But wouldn’t it be great if we could get first-hand opinions from real ‘Old Persons’ themselves. Nothing scientific or researched-based, just simple personal thoughts on the question of the expectations vs. reality of aging.
I recently posed that question to a group of persons of senior age. I was blown away by receiving over one thousand responses, an overwhelming pool of first-hand experiences.
I thought I would share an overview of some of the thoughts, especially those that were repetitive and common to a large segment of responders.
Takeaway
We can’t stop the progressive and destructive effects of time on our bodies. But we can, to a large degree, determine how our minds will deal with the inevitable. In my opinion, if it’s going to happen anyway, then it’s going to happen my way. And what is my way?
If I can grow old, then I’ve achieved a blessing that many others never had the chance to experience. If I can remain positive and grateful, I’ll find the grains of happiness that are scattered amongst the weeds. And I’ll be determined to remember that even the weeds have blooms.
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About the Creator
Lynda Coker
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