It’s a strange concept to think about the aging process and how to do it well. I mean is there a right way and a wrong way? Do we have a choice? What does aging gracefully mean? What’s the alternative, aging awkwardly?
If you’re going to age gracefully, it seems to me that you’d have to have been doing it all along, at all stages of growing, not just when mortality started to stare you in the face. I think that aging, gracefully or otherwise, is simply the culmination of all of your life experiences. You become what you believe, as a result of the choices you’ve made, the lessons you’ve learned, and what you’ve experienced along your life path. So maybe aging gracefully isn’t so mysterious after all. Maybe it is the lifelong choice to recognize and accept and be happy with the outcome of all your life choices.
If aging gracefully is a choice, you need to start choosing it early in life, and truly like who you are at all phases, the challenging, the awkward, and the beautiful. You have to like the face that stares back at you from the mirror, but more than that, you have to like the person behind the face. I think the graceful part of aging is truly appreciating who you are and the gifts that you have, while accepting your wrinkles, and weaknesses as badges of honor for the battles you’ve won and lost.
Aging is a lifelong experience. Doing it gracefully is learning to be grateful for all that you have learned, and all that you have lost, and all that you have gained. It means living each day realizing that you are a unique individual and that the people in your life deserve to see the best person you can be at any age.
Aging gracefully is being happy in your own skin and knowing that in this one moment in time, you are beautiful purely because you are you.
This post on aging gracefully is part of the GenFab monthly blog hop. GenerationFabulous.com is a brand spankin’ new web site that features bloggers like me who are Fabulous and of course, age gracefully!
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11 Comments
by Generation Above Me (@TheGenAboveMe)
A very grounded approach! I like the emphasis on acceptance — of self, of others, of life’s bumpy road.
by Lisa @ Grandma's Briefs
You are so very right in that it’s a lifelong experience. We don’t just magically become graceful when we hit a certain age. Much to think about here. Thank you for the lovely take on aging gracefully.
by Ginger Kay
“Maybe it is the lifelong choice to recognize and accept and be happy with the outcome of all your life choices.”
Wonderful summation. I think for many of us, it takes quite a few years to reach this point, but when we do, it is golden.
by joyweesemoll
Good point that aging gracefully begins earlier in life than we typically think.
by Pam@over50feeling40
Good thoughts…we are beautiful simply because we are!!
by beverlydiehl
It’s liking the awkward that is so difficult, but I’m working on it!
by Amanda Fox
I like the idea that aging gracefully is something we always do, not something we start when we hit a certain age. As if there is some signal that says, OK start aging gracefully now LOL.
by Helene BludmanH
What Beverly said. :)
by Barbara Coleman
I think gracefully aging is the after effect of good decision….taking care of ourselves, mentally…physically….socially. If we begin to try to act graceful…we’re just actors. Like you said..Aging gracefully is being happy in your own skin and knowing that in this one moment in time, you are beautiful purely because you are you. Love that!
by Karen (formerly kcinnova)
Great post, Lala!
Taking care of yourself, adjusting as needed without battling nature, being comfortable in your own skin… those are the ways to age gracefully in my book.
by Cosima Revival Review
Awesome things here. I’m very happy to peer your post.
Thank you a lot and I am looking ahead to touch you.
Will you kindly drop me a mail?