“Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength.” ~Betty Freidan

Today I am feeling my age.  It doesn’t happen often.  I usually feel younger than my chronological age.  But today my legs are uncooperative and every part of my body aches.  Today I feel 53.

The past few days have been rainy ones, and I am sure my body is aware of it.  Downing Advil and Tylenol aren’t alleviating my symptoms.  My new MS specialist advised he does not believe in the condition known as Fibromyalgia, something I was diagnosed with in addition to MS.  So is it Fibro, MS or simply being 53?

“You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old.” ~George Burns

After reading Jon Kabat-Zinn’s book, Mindfulness for Beginners, I began to inwardly recite his mantra,” Until you stop breathing, there’s more right with you than wrong with you.”  More right with you than wrong with you.  I like that – simple and true.

“Do not regret growing old.  It is a privilege denied to many.” ~Anonymous

When we begin to dwell on our ailments – the ones we inevitably feel as we pass the half-century mark – we wonder if this ache or that twitch is the one that will begin our downward spiral.  One reader on About.com/Senior Living had this to say about aging:

“I wonder what we would “feel” like if we didn’t know how old we actually are. I think we are heavily influenced by societal norms and expectations regarding age. So I try not to think about the actual number of my age.”

Now that I’m past 50, I’ve finally realized I am in charge of my own destiny.  I now embrace my age by loving what I do and who I am.  Life after child rearing, menopause and (almost) college tuition can be an exciting and rewarding time.

Life after 50 comes down to this:  either we dwell on what is wrong or treasure what is right.  I can’t walk long distances, so I bike instead.  I can’t do aerobics, so I take gentle yoga classes.  It’s all about embracing who you are, using your many abilities and maintaining a positive attitude about life.

“When grace is joined with wrinkles, it is adorable. There is an unspeakable dawn in happy old age.” ~Victor Hugo

I’ve always been a glass half full kind of girl.  That philosophy has served me well.  It can do the same for you.

I recently read an article by Barbara Hannah Grufferman, author and columnist for AARP entitled, “5 Infuriating Fibs About Women Over 50.” (Do yourself a favor and read it!) As I read the article, I found myself nodding in agreement. The line that truly gave me an “Aha!” moment was, “Don’t fight your age.  Embrace it.  Whatever it is.”

Sage advice.

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