Positive aging is my reality.

Plato wrote: Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder, a reflection of how the world views us.

Over the centuries, there have been remarkably different thoughts on what makes a woman beautiful or a man handsome. Even today, there is no true consensus. In one part of the world, certain physical attributes are valued that would be viewed as unattractive in another.

For many Americans, however, there seems to be one essential characteristic that defines beauty more so today than ever before: youth. For sure there are countries that view older people as sexy and desirable. But too often, aging in America is regarded more as a disease to be cured than as the natural and beautiful progression of life.

After turning 50 a few years ago, I came to understand what it truly means to be beautiful. It isn’t about having fewer wrinkles, less gray hair, or the bodies we had in college. It’s about embracing our age, celebrating who we are now, and becoming fearless about the future.

I put myself on a life-changing path of self-love and care that allowed me to become as fit and healthy as possible, giving me the strength and stamina to do all the things I want—and need—to do in life. My new approach to positive aging made me feel stronger and more beautiful than ever.

Here’s a simple sentence that has become my personal mantra:

       We can’t control getting older . . . but . . . we can control how we do it.

It’s all about taking control of your life and being responsible for the health and well-being of your body, mind and spirit as you age by doing simple things like moving your body, eating well, and staying engaged with the world.

This is the essence of positive living . . . and beautiful aging. No doubt Plato would agree.

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10 comments

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I applaud your manifesto to live positively – at any age but must important as we age. We can look in the mirror and only see wrinkles, saggy skin, fatties and gray hair, but what happens when we smile? A big, genuine smile? All the wrinkles become laugh lines and sags move upwards and you don’t see the fatties nor the gray hair because the smile just feels so good!
Yes, Barbara, attitude is everything!
Eat healthy, exercise, feed your spirit, smile and be happy – that is aging!

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Positive living is a beautiful thing, indeed, Dianne. And thank you for taking the time to read this, and leave your comment. I hope you’ll share with others!
All best,
Barbara

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Barbara this is a great post, do you mind if I borrow your mantra as I reach those 50. I’m 48 and I look at a picture taken just a couple of years ago and then see a recent one and I look different and to tell you the truth it scares me a bit. Embracing those around the corner 50s is a bit of a freight, don’t you think?

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Thanks for reading, Maritza, and leaving your comment. Don’t be afraid of aging. Embrace it, and take control of those areas of your life where you can. Then, you’ll be ready to confront all those things that might NOT be in your control. And please, stay in touch. All best, Barbara

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I don’t believe that cultures which esteem their elders do it because they see them as “sexy and desirable.” My experience is that they respect their wisdom and feel gratitude for all the elders have done to give them the life they have.

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Love this’positive aging!’ Sounds better than aging gracefully. You have a beautiful attitude and good reminders for what I call growing along. Great post, Barbara!

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Agree totally with your mantra and have lived by it for quite a while, as I am older than you. Whenever I look too closely at the physical, I give myself a mental boot in the butt and remind myself of what a glorious life I am having. Wrinkles or not, I feel great and am enjoying my existence! Thanks for the reminder.

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Barbara, thank you for being such a positive Boomer voice. Boomers have the opportunity to become something along the lines of ‘the greatest generation ever’.

Can’t wait to turn 55 next Sunday. Every gray hair, every wrinkle – earned by being fully alive.

Life is not a dress rehearsal. Live like you mean it.

Be well and remain amazed. 🙂

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The big 5 0 is looming around the corner and I am dreading, yet anticipating the day. Your words speak to me and I agree that we are in control of whether we embrace or turn our backs on the inevitable.
Visiting from Women of MidLife
Barbara

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