How To Age Gracefully
by Vin Miller
Do your birthdays come with the sadness of another year passing by? If so, then now’s the time to do something about it.
Think about the excitement that kids anticipate their birthdays with. Even teenagers welcome birthdays in anticipation of the freedom that older age brings. But once we hit our twenties, the excitement fades, and as years continue to pass, birthdays may even bring depression. This is because they tend to remind us that we’re getting older, losing our vitality, and running out of time.
Same Routine, Different Day
Most people mindlessly go through the motions of life every day and resign to letting other people dictate their experiences. This often leaves a feeling of emptiness and a lack of purpose that can easily cause someone to become depressed. Until you take control of your life and figure out what fulfills you, this emptiness will grow each year and make each birthday feel worse.
It’s inevitable that we’re all going to get old and eventually die. At some point, most of us will know when our time is just about up. Imagine how miserable it would be to get to this point and not feel content and fulfilled by the life you lived. Regret is an awful emotion and I shudder to think what it would be like to regret not getting more out of life.
Purpose and Passion
If you talk to someone who’s found purpose in their life and is passionate about it, you’ll likely see that they’re not the least bit concerned about time running out. They’ve gotten plenty out of life, have a strong sense of fulfillment, and are grateful for their experiences. They’re certainly not going to waste any time pouting about their age.
While serving a purpose provides satisfaction and fulfillment, passion provides enjoyment and ambition. Finding a way to put them together is the key to getting the most you can out of life. While purpose without passion may reward you with some fulfillment, it’ll make you feel like you’re living for the sake of other people. Likewise, passion without purpose will bring you enjoyment, but it won’t last long and will feel more like a cheap thrill. Either way, you’ll still be left with some level of emptiness.
Finding Yourself
It’s never too late in life to uncover the interests that will bring you purpose and passion. While some people are fortunate to know what they are at an early age, other people never know, mainly because they never really thought about it.
Developing a deeper understanding of yourself is a form of purpose and passion in itself. It can be a long and difficult process, but is extremely rewarding. Instead of letting it frustrate you, try to enjoy it and be excited about what it may bring. When you begin seeing new connections, it will be so satisfying and exciting that you’ll surely be hooked and will understand the power behind all of this.
Start off by trying to identify the things that cause you to wake up every morning with excitement. Then try to think of how you can apply them in a way that will reward you with a fulfilling sense of accomplishment. For most people, this usually comes in some form of helping others, but that’s just one example and is certainly not the only way.
My Purpose
It wouldn’t be right if I told you to dig deep within yourself and didn’t share any of my own experiences. It was actually only a few years ago, shortly after turning thirty, that I even began to understand the need for having a formalized recognition of purpose. As I said, it takes some people longer than others, and even if you’re well past your thirties, it’s never too late.
Some of my deepest interests include natural holistic health, fitness, and tennis. In addition, I have a natural ability to learn and write. I combine these interests and talents by sharing what I learn with others through writing, as I’m doing here. I find this fulfilling, especially when people really enjoy it or benefit from it.
A key thing to understand here is that not all of my interests would bring me this fulfillment. I’ve come to realize that helping people improve their lives through their health is more meaningful to me than doing so through fitness or tennis. We’re all different, and this is why it’s a process that requires time and effort.
I can’t say for sure that what I’m doing now will give me the fulfillment I need to be at ease in the end, but I do know that I’m on the right track and that I won’t be feeling sad on my next birthday!
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Great job, Vin. I’m really amazed at how good a writer you are. Had no idea. Keep up the good work!
bob
Thanks Bob!
When I was an over active twenty something, the mantra was “do not trust anyone over 30″. The credence in the mantra was that the 30 crowd was running the show, and the show was not very good. I am 62 and you are now over 30, so I do not trust either of us. Perhaps trust is what leads people mindlessly through their lives. My generation was focused on finding themselves and explored the many avenues to find the answers that lead to this fulfillment. This was not something that one did on the weekend. It could be a lifelong endevour for some because its hard to understand and do. It refreshing to see the activity has not died. You could write more about this.
Hi George, thanks for sharing your insight!
As society “advances” technologically and we become more convenience driven, I think more people are encouraged to simply go through the motions of life. It’s a shame that this is happening, but there are plenty of people still promoting self awareness and the discovery of purpose and passion. I find it refreshing as well and will certainly write more about it!
I have started blogging quite some time, more to find ecnouragement to myself and learn to stay positive and find meanings to my life. After living for 40 years I see myself going through the motions of life, having same routine on different day and it sucks!
I am now focus on finding new purpose in my life, and starting to get more excited on everyday of my life now! Thanks for sharing this article and please write more!
Hi Pearl,
Quite a few people are simply going through the motions of life and it’s a shame. We only have one chance to get the most out of our time here and each day is precious. You’re awareness of your desire for more purpose is a great start, and if blogging is as fulfilling to you as it is to me, I think you’re already headed in the right direction.
I hope you find plenty of happiness and fulfillment in your new pursuits!
This article brought a few tears to my eyes. Late 2008 I was obsessing about my age, because I did not know what to do. With my 2009 birthday approaching I am happy to be growing on wisdom based on my pursuit of improving myself, because i read a lot personal development in 2009.
Just like Pearl, I am getting excited every day because I feel I have the power to make each day different!
I have a pretty uprooting lifestyle at this time due to husbands baseball career. I actually crave routine as there is so much change, adapting to new environments and adapting to new things in general. I see the elderly people and how routine is necessary for them. But I understand you are speaking about stepping out of a rut?
Hi Suzy,
The article is more about how people dread birthdays based on the perception that they’re getting old and life is passing them by. I prefer a routine too, but what I think is more important in regard to not dreading old age is to be regularly doing things that align with your values and provide fulfillment. This is more likely to result in you feeling satisfied with life rather than feeling as if you’ve been missing out.
If you have a good understanding of what you value, you should be able to engage in fulfilling activities regardless of whether you’re always travelling or settled into a routine at home.