John’s Sunday blog

Getting OLDER?

I often wonder why at times I feel like I’m six years old, especially when returning home to my three dogs to get down on the floor for a love attack and experience the joy of just pure togetherness. Or when I feel thirty-ish frolicking in the surf with my sweet heart. Then being reminded that the clocks been ticking, looking at my face in the mirror, ehem, in the morning. It seems aging, well might have more to do with attitude, but also with actions. When we see clearly that EVERYTHING, even mountains, expire, why does even giving these changes the label “aging” matter. The changes just need attentive adjustment.

If one clings too much to this unstable world it will create suffering. Yet there are ways to go through the degenerative process, happier, healthier and with more energy and vitality as the timer on the body begins to run out.

I would say staying involved with life would be one of the number one ways to age well. Isolation and staying put inside (as well as in our head/concepts) will increase degeneracy.

1.) Get out and Move! The human body is anatomically made to walk, run, squat, climb, jump, swim, and even crawl if necessary. Easing up on the sitting and laying, and taking more little adventures involving new experiences keep the brain firing and neurons strong. When is the last time you stood or walked on the beach at sunrise? Yoga? Barre?😉

2.) Being involved with others of all ages in something you’re interested in is good for the heart and brain. Laughter, learning, sharing in a common goal, projects etc, with others, fills a primal need. New experiences, and connection, enlivens the body, mind, emotions and energy.

3.) Food. As your expiration date gets closer the body creates fewer and less effective cells, thus there are lesser enzymes, hormonal imbalances etc. Pathways in the body may slow as well, so avoiding processed foods with additives is essential at feeling healthy. A fresh variety of foods is best as well as live foods. (think outer isles at the store). Also avoiding foods that are laden with weed killer and pesticides might be a good idea. Another one, many might not be aware of, is stale foods that have sat in the fridge too long “old” food. Also make sure to take in a good amount of pure water upon waking before taking anything else will go a long way freshening the body for the day.

Seen from a yogic view there are only passing phases, “seasons” if you will, passing by. Just like a season, a human has a life. Within that life there will be storms, droughts, fair weather and fine harvests. Learning to be still with oneself is one of the best stress reduction practices around. Finding a sacred place within will enhance your foundation as the building crumbles. I was impressed when I heard what a Blackfoot Chief would say to the sky, mountains, rivers and forest “This is my Church, and all my relations.” It reminded me of Vedic science as well as the obvious. So mysterious, the body but a few handfuls (if that) of dust, and a few buckets of water animated by the life force of electricity - a walking mud puddle thinking it knows something. Not taking oneself too seriously is a plus to reduce stress as well. Humility is golden.

Finally one might ponder what type of food one takes through the eyes and ears. If you’ve been around the block a few times does it serve oneself to focus on the latest bad news or trashy formulated dramas about violence, competitions and self serving motives. Will inhumanity ever end? Can anyone see the sickness of comparing oneself to those supposedly below, or above them, making one feel better or not enough? Setting these things aside a bit or altogether will reduce stress as your subconscious does not know fact, from fiction. It may also free up time to go on an adventure no matter how small. Who knows, you might meet someone and make a friend. You don’t have to dim yourself as you age, in fact, you may burn brighter due to wisdom, than when you were “young”.