We know “Attitude is Everything” is an old “cliche,” but isn't Attitude Everything?
Aging is inevitable so as we grow older why not have a positive attitude about aging rather than a negative? As we age unfortunately our parts start wearing out just like an old car. We can't do anything about the normal aging process that takes place in our bodies as we age, but we can do something about our attitudes. Even though we are growing older, we can still remain young and vigorous in spirit. I don't think any of us really want to grow old, but since aging is inevitable, we must look at the positive side of aging. We must strive to have the best attitude we can as we age.
We have a choice...we can either have a positive attitude or a negative attitude about aging. If you are a positive thinker...then you are going to think positive about life in general and you will think positive about aging. You are going to be much healthier and happier. You will think young and stay young at heart. I call this “graceful aging” or “successful aging.”
Our mind plays just as an important part of our aging as our our body. One of my very favorite quotes is from Mark Twain, “Age is mind over matter, if you don't mind it's doesn't matter.” I know all of us would like to find that “fountain of youth” and stay forever young but still have the wisdom and knowledge that comes with age. George Burns once said.... “We are growing older, but we don't have to grow old.”
There are two positive things about growing older......we get senior discounts and become so much wiser! Each age is so important to our emotional, spiritual and intellectual growth and has its on purpose, and every age has its own opportunities for learning.
Did you know we have three ages??? Our first age is our Chronological Age. This age is how many birthdays we have had. This is how old we are by our calendar years and we cannot change this age.
Our second age is our Biological Age. This age is the condition our body is in and how old our body feels and functions. We can change this age by our lifestyle and our attitude.
Our third age is our Psychological Age. This age is how old we think we are which affects our biological age.
I consider myself a young senior by thinking and acting young. Chronologically, I am
84+, but my attitude and approach to life puts my psychological age in my 50's. (LOL) I even wrote myself a poem I want to share with you......
Some people think I should be feeling mighty low
Because I will be 85 in November as you all know.
Age is only a state of mind
Don't you think I am still looking mighty fine?
My nails are acrylic and my hair is out of a bottle
And my skin looks a little mottled.
I have a few more wrinkles and some loose sagging skin
But.....if I keep my clothes on, don't you think I could pass for a 10?
The soul know no age so I've been told
And God has blessed me 10 fold!
As I grow older unfortunately...... I can't do anything about the normal aging process
But God has given me a great attitude and I feel so blessed!
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale said..... “If you think in negative terms, you will get negative results.” William James the great philosopher and psychologist said... “My greatest discovery in human beings is that you can alter your life by altering your attitude.”
We do become what we think! We have to teach ourselves to think positive and not negative. You learn negative behavior as well as positive behavior. We are all in charge of our attitudes. Attitude is a choice and not an option. This is why we have to condition our minds because we are what we think! We have a choice when we wake up each day how we are going to embrace that day in spite of our aches and pains.
One of my very favorite scriptures is found in Proverbs, “As a man thinketh in his heart so is he.” Ralph Waldo Emerson once said... “A man is what he thinks all day long.” I really believe you are what you think.
There are two kinds of thinkers....You are either a negative thinker or a positive thinker. If you are a negative thinker then you are a Pessimistic Person. If you are a positive thinker then you are an Optimistic Person.
Studies were done at the Mayo Clinic proving as a general rule pessimistic people who are negative thinkers will have lower immune systems, and they are not as healthy physically or mentally and may not live as long because of their negative attitudes. On the other hand...Optimistic People are positive thinkers and they will have healthier immune systems and are healthier physically and mentally, and as a rule.... will live longer! They will also recover much faster from an illness because of their Positive Attitude. I am a former ICU nurse and I can tell you from experience the patients who had positive attitudes recovered much faster.
Our mind is so powerful and affects our behavior (These are the thoughts we are thinking) and in turn our behavior affects our mind. This is why it is so important to have PMA...... Positive Mental Attitude. Besides people don't want to be around negative people and you know what they say about “Pity Parties”...you are the only one there and they don't serve refreshments!
Even though we can't do anything about the normal aging process, we can slow it down with a positive attitude, keeping your mind active, proper nutrition and exercising. Take joy in new experiences. Maintain and grow your social circle. Volunteerism is a great way to stay active, and it is such a blessing to know you are extending your hand to help another person. Isolation is one of the leading causes of death in older people.
So...ask yourself, “Are you too young to be acting so old?” The Bible says..... “Be ye transformed by the renewing of you mind.” In other words.....change your stinking thinking and it will change your life. Stay strong, stay safe and keep the faith!!!!
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