The Best Part About Getting Older

Do you ever give yourself gifts?

Last week was my birthday and someone asked me if I was feeling “old” or scared of getting older.

I know this is a common sentiment, but I never understood it because I’ve never felt worried about the passing of time.

I truly believe that each year will be my best year ever, and the year after that my new best year ever.

The years do not repeat themselves; every age is totally new, with totally different experiences that are exciting, enlightening, and challenging.

The truth is, have two choices in life:

To wear ourselves out struggling against the relentless current of time, or gracefully flow with it and be grateful for each new year we have.

That is what I work with my clients on a daily basis - modifying our perspective can shift us from fear to gratitude.

Also last week, my cousin Eddie sadly passed away at the age of 41 of a rare form of tracheal cancer, he left behind a wife and 3 children.

Surely you know people who’s lives were so much shorter than expected. I believe everything in life is meant to teach us, including the sad or difficult moments.

Death teaches us about life - to be grateful for every moment, every new memory, even every new wrinkle on our face.

My goal as I get older is to live life more deeply, so I get more out of every new year. I’ll explain.

Have you ever heard the quote, “youth is wasted on the young”?

My interpretation is that young people don’t realize what they have, how special the prime of youth is, and how it will never be back again.

That way of thinking supposes that the best way to appreciate life more… is to have more life.

And that, my friends, is the secret to aging with grace and gratitude.

The older I get, the more life I have, the more life I have, the more life I have, the more I can appreciate every year more. This is how I live life more deeply, adding a new dimension to the linear path of life.

Instead of worrying about each new year of age, I get excited to experience life in a way I was never able to before.

For me, one of the best ways to continue learning and living deeply is to travel.

I plan a trip to unlock a new level of myself and continue opening doors for more opportunities. It’s just a little reward myself for efforts to become the best version of myself.

It’s not for achieving specific outcomes, it’s simply for me just being exactly who I am.

This year the trip was to Dominica, also known as Nature Island. There I went scuba diving, explored a boiling lake, hiked through the rainforest alone, and stayed in the home of a Kalinago native of the island.

I don’t know how many more trips I’ll get, but each birthday makes me appreciate them even more.

Youth isn’t an age, it’s an attitude.

So, what gift will you give yourself for your next brithday?

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