Is 60 the new 40? As I enter this next decade, this affirmation plays like a mantra in my head.
My husband keeps asking me, “How does it feel to be 60?” When I was a child, 60 was ancient, grandmas wore sensible shoes and permed their hair. It is a strange feeling heading into a new decade, especially the dreaded decade of being classified as a senior. Honestly, I expected to have an existential crisis hitting this milestone birthday, but in the weeks leading up to “the day," all was mentally calm.
Not being one to get emotionally invested in another birthday passing by, I also believe that turning 60 had no negative effect on me as I lead an active life and am the most physically fit I have ever been in my life. We are also culturally in a revolution on how we perceive aging, especially for women.
Menopause used to be considered the decline in a woman's life, but we are redefining that notion. We are now in a life stage where we can embrace and celebrate growth, development, and explore life in a way that leaves us feeling fulfilled and satisfied.
I believe that feeling fulfilled and satisfied also means embracing the aging process with love and acceptance. Although I am active and fit, my body still lets me know I am aging. I sleep more, eat better, and tend to my aches and pains. When I look in the mirror, I “try” to welcome the changes I see looking back at me. With the “silver revolution” upon us, I now wish I had more gray.
Recently, I came across this question in an article, “How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?” This gave me a moment’s hesitation as I honestly contemplated the question. Most days I definitely feel and act younger than 60, but if I had to “guess” my age I would say 50.
Who we surround ourselves with can help us to become the best version of ourselves:
When I see my friend, who is in her 70s, hiking the jungles of Panama, it gives me inspiration.
When I see two of my yoga students in their late 70s exploring their practice, it gives me joy.
When I see so many women worldwide in Sole Sister Ramblers leading exciting and fulfilling lives, it gives me hope.
So the claim that 60 is the new 40 is that we are living longer healthier lives and feeling younger at 60 than generations before us. And this is something to celebrate.
And so my Sole Sisters, as you ramble out into your week, how old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?
I am ending with the beautiful writing of Debatrayee Banejee. It is longer than usual, but I suggest you take the time to read it.
Aging with All My Self.
To my younger self,
I'm not twenty-something anymore, and in just a month's time I shall walk into another decade of a whole new experience. I don't have youth on my side, but I have a heart of Life enlightened with the very spirit of Life itself, something that draws youth on its lap.
Wisdom has been churned out from the mistakes and failures, and lessons have been disguised as soul fillers, and gratitude dances on my lips, waving my heart with a bunch of memories. Perhaps, the memories have been earned. Earned at the cost of those lost turns, cold betrayals, numb tears, forced smiles and a voyage walking through a rainbow of mad jest of Life.
With that being said, I wouldn't go back and change even a bit. Through all of that heartache, I have unearthed a heart that is resilient, and pliant, I have met a soul that is strong and loving, and deeper than any thousand paged novel I could get lost in. I have come across beautiful souls in beautiful lands, I have soaked in different cultures and walked my way through observing hearts, listening to stories that run beyond time and tide.
I have grown with each one of those smiles and tears, the sands of places that mark my soles make my soul whole in a strange but palpable tune. I have got lost in pathways and met a gypsy soul wandering in the space of infinite time, weaving moments through Life to take back a bunch of images and experiences from a journey called Life.
My story has been filled with pages of ups and downs and my cup of Life has had several toxic turns, but in all of that, I have grown, along with one or two grey hair. My pages have often tasted Life in the most happy hue from voyages and dreams that kept overlapping and smiling across the tips of Time.
And all of this, has helped me to nurture and nourish an invincible desire to live a life, with a passion no longer on hold, but a heart that is free forever to fly in the tunes of its own whisper.
So as I open another day, walking closer to close the page of this twenty-something, I wear a smile that the youth of wisdom paints on my heart. And age, with all the grace that only Age can bring, while loving, forgiving and embracing my younger self in every air of Time.
Love,
A soul aging gracefully with the Smile of Life.
Debatrayee Banerjee
READ MORE > Jane's Mindful Musings, Rambler Cafe Blog.
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