The Tasks of Aging

When you get to age 60, you know that you have lived the majority of your life span. Now is the time to get real, face the situation and set priorities for the latter part of our lives.  Here are some thoughts on the tasks of aging.

Face Reality:
Reality 1. We are getting older. Our bodies are beginning to deteriorate and over the years, we will experience decreased ability, discomfort and ill health. There is no use avoiding or complaining, we have to accept decline as inevitable and natural. We are in the tiny minority of all humans in history that have lived this long, so let’s not waste the precious gift of longevity.

Reality 2. Time, energy and attention are our most precious resources – everything else is extraneous. I have a personal motto: never sell my time (for status or money) for less than its intrinsic value to me. We have to use our energy and attention for those things that are essential and life-enhancing.

Reality 3. We will all die and we don’t know when that will happen. Death is the big adventure; we have to be sure we are packed and ready when the time comes. Ask yourself the question: Have I lived my life to the fullest?  Will I regret not having become the person I might have?

Get Your Priorities Straight:
We do not have all the time in the world. We must get to grips with the reality of who we are and what is most important in life. Procrastination is the life stealer – don’t let time slip away.

Order priorities:
My Self – not my ego, personality, fears or desires but what is essential to my inner being. If I take care of my soul, my outer life tends to fall into place.

My Relationships – my capacity to love and connect to others is essential. I try to remember to practice love and gratitude every day, particular with my partner, children and close friends.

My Legacy – focus on the differences I can make to the world that contributes to the wellbeing of humanity. Will I die satisfied with my life?  Will my life have made a positive difference?

Our relationship with and appreciation for life keeps changing.  Increasingly, the latter part of life is filled with rich possibilities. Retirement not longer means sitting in the armchair, idling away the hours – it is a time for giving back all we have gained.  Now is the time to take stock, make powerful intentions and drink life to the last drop.