Gracefully Aging...

Staying Young in your Heart...remembering who you were as a younger you...that is the real you! Feel free to embrace that young Beauty!

Oh boy...growing older feels rather strange to me, as I gaze into a mirror, my current body is not matching how I feel on the inside...because you see, on the inside I really am that young woman still trying to figure life out!

But the 66 years I have been in this current skin...well, the truth is I am in the last quarter of my life. What I see in the mirror is not matching how I feel on the inside...and my mind confused, thinking...where did all this time go?!

How did I get to this point in my life...this fast?! Time is such a strange occurrence, dont' you think!? When you are young and carefree...time is not even in the top 50 thoughts! Well now...Time is of the Essence and in the top 3 thoughts!

So, I have made a decision...I will be striving to continue to live the rest of my life with an aspiring heart...because you know it is up to each of us to get a handle on this getting older stuff! We have to take ownership and total responsibility as to how we handle the years to come as we grow older...the health challenges that may come onto our path in the so called 'Golden Years' can be a bit more challenging. There are lots more little aches and pains I can vouch for that, but for the most part, I have certainly been Blessed with overall good health.

I believe being joyful and happy shows in your eyes, on your face, in the way you treat yourself and other people. We are not our bodies that are changing way faster than our hearts and minds.

Remember, we are the souls inside these forms...but maintaining all of these...(mind body and soul) are a must do.

If you begin with the body...with exercise, eating healthy foods...the bonus is your mind and heart will be helped immediately while you take care of your body.

Then you can do other value-added activities, such as staying mindful, prayer, thinking good thoughts, yoga, meditation, letting go and letting God be the driver of your life and work on being a kind and loving person... having empathy for all living things.

What I have found to be critical things to do...and Not do anymore are as follows...first things what not do:

~ Do not smoke cigarettes...smoking is one of the most awful things you could be doing to yourself

~ Do not over indulge in alcohol (did my fair share when I was younger) now, yes I am a cheap date Lol

~ Do not pay so much attention to others opinions especially when they differ from yours...does not matter so let it go!

~ Do not go on roller coasters...just kidding! If you are still able to withstand the rattling of your brain without having an adverse reaction...be my guest and have fun! Unfortunately my roller coaster days are over...the last time I rode a roller coaster I was a hot dizzy mess for about 3 days...

~ Do not try to move as fast as you are used to while walking outside in the Wisconsin winter weather on sidewalks or decks. Last year I fell a couple times, good thing I did not break a hip! Time to slow down...

~ Do not get caught up in pettiness, gossiping or any interactions with people that are draining and suck the energy out of you...you need all the energy you can get!

Ok... now for Choose these things:

~ Choose Faith over fear...always know that God is in charge and all is happening the way it is supposed to

~ Choose to do all things in moderation, that means everything...because if you abuse and overdo things that are good for you, well it then may become bad for you...when anything becomes obsessive it could become a negative influence in your life...Balance is so important!

~ Choose to be Thankful for everything in your prayers, especially the little things we all take for granted

~ Choose to Love yourself fully and do what makes you happy

~ Choose to be with people who are good for you and love you for you (this includes family). In my younger days my circle of friends was big, the older I get, well the tighter my circle has become...and I am fine with that. I enjoy being by myself more so than ever in my life.

~ Choose to have a dog...well only if you can take care of one, they are like voiceless children. But I swear they can be earth angels. I have been Blessed in my life to have experienced having 2 wonderful dogs, Ollie and Yoshi...I still have Yoshi and he is such a Blessing, there is nothing in this world that matches the unconditional love that dogs give.

~ Choose to enjoy and appreciate nature, it it Beautiful! You know watching the different species of birds...yes I have become that person of age who likes to sit and drink coffee while listening and watching the birds in the early morning...oh my...yes I am that person...Thank you God!

Some positive quotes regarding aging:

** "Youth has no age." - Pablo Picasso.

** "The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes." - Frank Lloyd Wright.

** "Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been." - Mark Twain.

** "Aging gracefully means being flexible, being open, allowing change, enjoying change, and loving yourself." - Wendy Whelan.

Lastly I hope you make the choice to grow old as gracefully as you can and may you all enjoy the journey...riding the waves of all the ups and downs...I am going to give it my best shot!

Me and my Yoshi

Choose Faith...and Always Love...xo

Brenda