Getting Older and the Power of the Mind
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When I was with two of my friends on a past trip to NY, both remarked how they hate to get older. We three are baby boomers, me being the youngest one. We met in our jobs over 30 years ago when we were starting with our careers and experiencing the angst of the dating scene, and wondering what our future would hold. Now 30 something years later, we are still very good friends, much the wiser from living; different in many ways, yet still the same in others. One friend is still the fancy dresser, always well groomed like a good Southern woman usually is, which she is; the other still has that special ability of hers to look at situations with wisdom and offer words that makes one pause and reflect; me, I am still the spiritual one and always interested in the search for self growth and Truth.
Tonight, I received a joke about baby boomers from a beautiful friend of ours, with lines being rewritten for baby boomers, from songs from the 60's such as:
Herman's Hermits--- Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Walker.
Ringo Starr--- I Get By With a Little Help From Depends.
The Bee Gees--- How Can You Mend a Broken Hip.
Bobby Darin--- Splish, Splash, I Was Havin' a Flash.
Roberta Flack--- The First Time Ever I Forgot Your Face.
Now, I admit they are witty and humorous, and no, I haven't lost my sense of humor, but jokes like these in my mind, perpetuates stereotypes about aging. I believe in the power of collective thoughts or consciousness and the more we program ourselves to think that getting older means facing all kinds of challenges, then this is what we mostly will attract or become.
The mind is very powerful as hypnosis has shown.
Tell a subject under deep hypnosis that he is being burned by the tip of a cigarette when in fact the hypnotist is holding a harmless pencil with an eraser over the subject's arm; the skin will actually produce a blister! Imagine telling yourself over and over, getting older is a drag, it means breaking bones, getting forgetful, becoming unattractive, you are in essence giving yourself hypnotic suggestions.
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My nature loving mate who happens to love frogs and which has led me to fill our home with froggie knick knacks, (not bad for a city girl!) and I don't follow rules or believe what the media says about aging or anything. At this point we both actually skip over speed bumps while holding hands in the park, not caring who is looking, and before going to sleep, we promise to play on the next day. To us the world is a playground, filled with the promise of an opportunity to create a work of art (he is a metal artist) or write an essay about spirituality or poetry (we both love writing), or come up with a new business (we need to eat you know), or simply act silly and stand with wonder in the presence of Nature's creations.
Point being, there are no set rules that we have to age a certain way --- As long as we keep an interest and passion for life, keep connected to Spirit in us, become like children again, enjoying ourselves even in the midst of lifes ups and downs, we can go into our golden years with a youthful spirit, and this often reflects on our physical bodies and emotional state.
The Baby Boomers of today are a new generation of aware men and women, so let's rock and play and come up with funny jokes that reflect today's generation of Baby Boomers!
Ribbet!
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James: Good point about the spirit! Didn't mention it in this article, but, sure, it is primarily the spirit in us that keeps us vital. I modified it a little and added this. In a future article, I will probably write about this spiritual connection from my experience and perspecitive.
I'm so glad you wrote this hub. I totally agree with you about the following: "jokes like these in my mind, perpetuates stereotypes about aging."
I do not live my life with negative thoughts, about aging or anything else, nor do I give off negative energy.
I will be 80 years old on October 9 and I'm healthy, happy, and I run a full time business on my own. I do have some employees, but anyone would regardless of their age.
My brain has never worked better, some of that due to writing and researching all the time, besides running a business.
I have to admit that I have slowed down somewhat physically, but it doesn't get in my way. I belong to a health club and work out three days a weeks, besides going up and down 40 stairs, in this old Victorian house, daily.
I do have some discomfort with Arthritis, Fibro, and bad knees, but I do not focus on that. My positive and upbeat mental state and sense of humor help me through so that it is not a big issue with me. I take very little medicine and prefer to concentrate on a good diet and avoiding putting anything toxic in my body.
Life is too short to be worrying about my age. There's just too much to see and do.
My Avatar picture was taken only 6 months ago. Do I look like I'm ready for the Old Folks Home?
I love this hub....thank you...I am coming up to my 64th birthday and I don't feel a day older than my birthday 20 years ago. I have many things I still aim to do and I'm always challenging myself. I don't think about age at all.
VS, may you never lose your enthusiasm for life! :)
VioletSun , excellent info , and soo true , you mention the passion for living , everyone should develope they're passion for anything . And go with them . Thats the one thing that some have that I envy. I'm a little too laid back. Stay well.....
Amazing hub VS. You are as old as your heart never mind the age :-)
Violet Sun - I couldn't agree with you more about the power of our minds. It's a subject - positive attitude - that has always driven me to succeed. Even the title of my most popular speech echoes it: "If you think you can, you will. If you think you can't, you won't."
It's all a state of mind - love this Hub.
Alexhouse: OMG, you don't look 80! You look 20 years younger! I was about to ask if your avatar was taken recently. You are the perfect example of a woman who lives an empowered life. Thank you for sharing, I am thrilled to see you as the example of what I talk about! :)
One2get: Good attitude, age is indeed a state of mind. The new generation of baby boomers rock!
Feline Prophet: Thank you, I wish the same for you! Cheers to being enthusiastic for life. :)
Ahorseback: There is nothing wrong with being laid back-it is who you are - as long as we have inner peace, everything flows from that. For me enthusiasm for life is not about always doing something, its acquiring a state of constant inner balance.
Jay: So agree with you!
Drbj: Your words are filled with wisdom. I believe when we say we can do something we allow ourselves to tap into the creative field; when we say "we can't", we close up to our inner resources.
Suzie: Very true! The mind is indeed powerful.
Thanks everyone for adding to this hub with your insightful comments and support!
We are not aging, Mary, we are just getting wiser, LOL.
My bf and me started to more and more to play as kids, so life can be really beautiful !
Thank you for inspiring Hubs, let us stay young forever - Alexhouse is great example to all of us as well.
"The universe refreshes itself through death" is a quotation I will not soon forget. Marie, this is a fabulous hub and I couldn't agree more. I've read some pieces recently that encourage all sorts of physical 'management' to hide aging-coloring hair to hide the gray, wrinkly eraser, etc., but honestly, I am proud of these characteristics! Hell, I've EARNED each and every gray hair and wrinkle!
Thank you for a wonderful piece of reality, very empowering.
Tatjana: Yes, Alexhouse is a great example for us all! I love it!
Funny thing is Phil was a very serious, engineering type of guy, but he has let his guard down since we have been together, and the same with me, I am more open and comfortable in being myself nowadays. Glad that you are your boyfriend are letting the child in you come out and play. :)
Lorlie: Thank you for sharing your thoughts, and the quote "The universe refreshes itself through death" is one I resonate with, makes me want to write an article about it, probably will one of this days.
Marie, ribbet, ribbet! LOL That one really made me grin after reading such a wonderful and inspiring hub about aging graciously. I desire that - to age graciously - and it does start with having beautiful thoughts. I agree heartily! Love and hugs to you. :)
Ribbet-Mornin' Michelle! :) You will always remain youngish because of your playful nature. Thanks for your continuing support for the past two plus years. Hugs to you~
I believe in this totally. We can think ourselves into being whatever we focus upon. I've long objected to age-based humor, and though they're often clever - that only makes them more insidious. They not only foster the stereotype among observers, but worse, convince people who are "old" (like, say, born!) that they are this or that. We begin to experience life measured in time or years from the moment of birth Where is a birthday which marks the beginning of "old age"? At 60 or 65 when retirement is likely or even mandatory? At 65 when Medicare kicks in? Or maybe at 50 when one qualifies for AARP? Maybe that's too long to wait to become "old" - maybe the crossover into one's 30s? It's so silly, isn't it? I pay no attention. I AM - feel good and have a vbrant life. One RX - and it's a new form of estrogen applied externally.
Well, Alekhouse - I never dreamed we are so nearly contemporaries. I'll be 79 in Feb., not far behind you. My avatars are recent photos, as well. You look amazing and I'd never thought of you as being a senior citizen in the least. Like you, I view living at any age as a matter of being alive, aware, alert and active at all levels and in one's own driver's seat. Taking care of one's health personally on a daily basis and managing one's affairs is key. But the main element is attitude. There is no substitute for effects of a good one and no remedy for effects of a bad one. The former are wonderful and the latter are devastating. And certainly not-so-subtle negative humor pushes folks in the wrong attitudinal directions.
Violet Sun - thank you for an excellent and useful hub. I'm rating it up!
Hi Marie! As I always say...."the way you think is the way you look."
Deepak Chopra (in the video) said something which, both you and me, have said and written many times...."a wise spirit in a young body." Thats exactly what both of us think we are. Despite getting older there's still a child in me and I want to stay that way. It keeps me away from malice, manipulation and connivance....3 attributes of adulthood. Love you and your articles..as always.
I love the wisdom that has come with aging.
One really nice thing is that I lived in S. Korea over a 4 - 5 year period, and like so many ancient cultures there is respect and reverence for elders. I was in my 50s and I never felt so respected, so safe, so appreciated, so loved and honored. Wow! Unfortunately, here we don't respect elders. In fact violence towards elders in NY has been so common, and so severe that it has been made a felony. There is something wrong with our culture when elders are so severely battered in the first place. I think the bad jokes about getting older are part of the problem.
While here women were so condemned for menopause and told to take deadly drugs to cope - in China it is called the Second Spring - another beautiful time in a woman's life - not a disease.
Thanks for a hub on aging. I take my role as an elder seriously. Rated up.
Nellieanna: You like Nancy (Alexhouse) are wonderful role models of what being ageless is all about, a state of the beautiful mind, in other words attitude, as you mentioned! I also think being creative helps in retaining a youthful life force, which both Alexhouse and you have.
Anjali: I am so honored to know you, at least online; so true, when we have that connection to the purity of our spirit (inner child) we don't need to express malice, manipulation and connivance. Its a good point you have made, and will have me pondering as its the loss of innocence that often brings the tribulations of humanity.
BK: I am originally from Colombia, SA and in my culture, a woman in her 40's is not considered "young"; when employers list job openings, they can openly request that you be no more than let's say 25 if applying for their job opening. Culture does have an influence on how quickly we think we are "old". I love the attitude of the Chinese, maybe this one reason why they seem never to age. I am in my 50's and feel great, have that peace that comes from wisdom. :)
Thanks ladies for contributing to this hub with your comments!
Violet Sun,
You are such an amazing inspiration to us all. This is a remarkable hub. I love your playful spirit and connection to nature. You are right on so many levels. The mind is truly a powerful vessel and depending on which way you choose to think will determine whether you take the high road, the low road or a detour.
Just recently my life took a detour. Needless to say, I have had some down time due to an injury (pretty much the whole summer).
The positive side to all of this is. My life has slowed down immensely.
Perhaps not using my brakes on my roller blades in that split second and plunging to the ground was the universe's way of symbolically showing me that I in fact needed to stop abruptly and take a good look at the direction that my life was going in. It literally grounded me.
It has allowed me to do some soul searching as well as reestablishing a deeper connection to my mind, body and spirit.
Mindfulness meditation as well as positive thoughts and attitudes has given me great strength in dealing with my pain.
Yes, it's no big secret that we all are getting older. But I must say that deep inside I am feeling younger than ever and when I look in the mirror I must say that my reflection seems to be glowing. The mind is a powerful tool, which feeds the body and nourishes the spirit and soul.
I really truly enjoyed this hub, thanks so much for sharing. I adore the playfulness of your inner child.
Awesome job,
Sage
Sage: Sounds like you are on the mend, and I had little goosebumps of confirmation as to message the universe has given you and glad you have heard. It's interesting you made the comments about mindfulness, as I woke up this morning with this intent to spend my day in a mindful state while I do a juice fast. I understand about the inner glow reflecting on the outside.
Thank you for sharing and your continuing support, its folks like you that makes this community such a pleasant place to write and connect!
Violet Sun,
Thanks for the validation. The realization of the universe was a revelation born in the moment that just came out in my response to your hub.
Revelations that are born in the moment from writing in flow have always blown me away.
It always amazes me what may come when you are open to receiving such messages.
Talk again soon,
Sage
And thanks Sage for the confirmation of being mindful today, needed this reminder! :)
Such a nice hub. Growing up I remember respecting elders - even more so when I visited family in the south. And it seemed like people enjoyed each day - there was such happiness. But now it seems we only worry about tomorrow. I suppose it is hard to change. Maybe because there is so much to think about. Sigh.
I so enjoy being an old/older woman because I know how to be mindful. What a difference it makes each day. How nice it is to sit here and just enjoy what I am doing.
Lovely hub and rated up as always.
TheListLady: Your comment about being mindful intrigued me; it is a much higher way of living life. Nice to have you visit, and thanks for the rate up! :)
As a 62 year old, I can call you a kid, and I think that you are a wise kid! :-)) - How else would you have come up with "go into our golden years with a youthful spirit"? - This is a perfect quotation and I stealing it :-)
LOL! You can steal anything from this "kid". Thanks for your support, its appreciated! :)
I love this hub! Surely, having beautiful thoughts makes you beautiful inside out no matter how you age! Everyone gets old, but not everyone knows how to get older gracefully! Voted up for an awesome hub! Thanks for sharing! =)
DjBryle: Very good point, what is inside of us counts and does indeed make anyone beautiful! Thanks for your visit. :)
I love it, love this hub. Rating awesome. It is so true that what you believe the mind will manifest it for you. I've seen 20 years that look 40 or 50 and vice versa. And their attitudes and thinking reflects their ages.
Now if we can just change the thoughts of the media (where most of the brain washing occurs)then everyone would be able to live more productive and youthful lives. Thanks for sharing, Marie. Namaste' :)
Thank you for your hub on Getting older and the power of the mind, I guess wea re what we think, which proves that thoughts are things. I appreciate your wonderful hub. Thank you for sharing it. Godspee. creativeone59
MoneyGlitch: I had posted a reply to you and it looks like I lost it cyberspace. Its true that some people are younger seem older, and the older seem younger. Thanks for reading and your comments! Always good to have you in my hubs.
Creativeone: Absolutely, we are indeed what we think. Nice to see you here!
We all getting older, my dear. But I hope with the older body there's a young spirit to life and great thought to share with others. I hope this give us motivation. Very inspiring hub. Vote up.
Blessing,
Pras: Yes, keeping a young spirit is what truly matters; thanks for reading and voting me up, truly appreciated.
Blessings to you.
Thank you VioletSun for that timely reminder. WE need to be young at heart as the years slip by - - too often I see people behave how they think they should - and they forget to live each day with joy. Very inspiring!
Shalini: I agree! It's a "spirit suppresion" to be so concerned with the should's that we lose the beauty of our expression and joy. I say to others, be yourself, be true to yourself like the creatures of nature, and all else will follow.
Good to see you, my friend. :)
The mind is a powerful and wonderful thing. It controls our lives and personalities more than we know. Learning to use our mind to improve and training it to improve like memory training all prove what an amazing "muscle" the mind can be. A great hub! Cheers!
Cheeky Girl: I am fascinated by what the mind can do, and I now reading the Mozart Effect where music is used to heal the mind, body and spirit. Its heartening to see that no matter what age, we can strengten our minds through care and brain exercise.
Thanks for the follow, I am following you as I took a peek at your hubs, and there are some intersting hubs that I will be reading!
Violet, thank heavens aging is not what it used to be. When I was a kid (another Baby Boomer here), it seemed like women hit a 'certain age' and just became dowdy, full of complaints, and lost their bounce. Not my mother. She was full of vim and vigor until the very end.
There are so many of us Boomers, that we better age slowly or else the US will be full of geezers.
Dolores: You made me chuckle with the comment that we better age slowly due to the Boomer population or the US will be full of geezers. LOL! I couldn't agree more! Thanks for stopping by. :)
Hi Marie, I'm so glad to be following you. Your wisdom shines through your writing, (what talent), and is filled with truth.
Age, age, age. I'm so tired of the emphasis in this society on youth. It's probably b/c I am also a b.b. and the shoe is now on the other foot.
Such a great point-that the jokes are unnecessary and perpetuate the stereotype. They are for closed minded people.
I am comfortable with myself at last, and it is wonderful. Fully embracing grandmotherhood and the age of wisdom.
Thanks for sharing and reminding us that 'the best is yet to be'.
Denise, I am also comfortable with myself at last, after a lifetime of not feeling this way, wouldn't want to be at my emotional age of 35; its was pure angst for me. I think the young generation of today have much to look for when they too reach their Baby Boomer years, we get younger with each generation.
Cheers to "the best is yet to be"
Thanks for your kind words, they are appreciated. :)
Excellent observations on life and how important it is to stay young at heart, full of life, love, sharing and giving.
I couldn't have summed it up any better in this statement from you.
"The Baby Boomers of today are a new generation of aware men and women, so let's rock and play and come up with funny jokes that reflect today's generation of Baby Boomers!"
Great hub, loved the video as well.
Saddlerider, its all a state of mind, and the body does follow. Good examples are when people take up Yoga, they learn to relax so they end up looking very peaceful and younger. Good to see you! :)
You are as you have always been, a Page Turner....thx 4 share
Loveofnight: Long time no see, hope all is well on your end! Thanks for your continuing support in Hubpages. :)
The fact about saying the samething over and over again to mind and it happening is absolutely right. I am 28 and in my life people around me kept saying that I am old at the age of about 26. When I kept hearing it all the time I actually felt old until a gay when I decided to put an end to this by listening to myself by saying that I am young. I feel young and energetic now no matter what people say about my looks.
Paraveda, You are young, and I am glad to read that you took your power back and are not allowing the negative comments and thoughts of others to influence your youthful vitality! Sometimes when we are wiser than the average person while young, others interpret it as "old".
Thanks for reading and adding your comments.
Very nice. I just wrote an article on collection of romantic quotes and was thinking whether that is too much for my middle age. (I couldn't help it as I love reading them myself) lol. Glad I bumped into this hub. It reassured me that it is alright to think young and feel young depite the age.
I like what you think and wrote. We are what we think. We get from what we expect. I am in tune with you.
Hi Ingenira, The only time I think of being age appropiate is I wouldn't wear a mini skirt or a bikini, that would be overkill, LOL, but other than this, I say be ourselves. Writing romantic quotes sounds fun, will check your hub out. Thanks for the visit and comments.
Really, no bikini for the old aged ? I have just been to Krabi beach in Thailand. There, people from very young to very old (grandparents) are wearing bikinis, whether they have great body shape or not. lol... Anyway, bikini is not for me, my husband forbids it ! lol... as for mini skirt, I agree with you.
Really? I guess its cultural. I assume women of all ages also wear bikinis in Europe. Even if I won't wear a bikini, I find it wondeful that people of all ages wear what they want. My nephew lives and teaches in Thailand and is married to a beautiful Thai woman. :)
I am all about mind over manner, and Jack Lalanne is proof of how that works well. It was happier and healthier up until the end than many people his age. Great hub, and I am sharing it on my fan page about articles I like around the web, which I hope brings you some more exposure.
Oh, Sweetipie, thank you so much for sharing it in your fan page, much appreciated, the more traffic the better. And yes, Lalanne was an inspiration, and role model when it comes to being fit and healthy.
For the most part getting "old" is more a state of mind and an attitude than anything else. As long as I am healthy and able to go I refuse to get old! :O)
I love your attitude, MysteryPlanet! By the way, your avatar name and photo is very intriguing. :)
Very good hub, you need to keep laughing. Song titles - how about 'Bald headed woman' by Tavares ;-)
Catchy title, I may add. LOL. Thanks for reading and comments!
Unchained Grace Level 1 Commenter 20 months ago
Violet Sun, God clearly shows us that our spiritual self is not the same as our physical self yet one is in fact dependent upon the other. The other evening, I sat under a pastor who is 80+ years young and yet had the energy level of any 19YO you'll ever see. She was motivated, Marie. Moving with a defined purpose. This was during a very high energy revival as part of our Apostle of Deliverance 2010 Miracle and Healing Deliverance Crusade.
It is how you see yourself and how God sees you that matters. He's not looking at the flesh. He's looking at the spirit. You were spot on when you mentioned how mind control and suggestive hypnosis has such a dramatic affect. It comes down to how we really see ourselves.
Thank you! You'll want to catch up with the theme for our 2011 Program. Releasing Your Greatness!