Looking ahead

The issue of ageing is something we all face and everyone has their own take on how they will cope.

Some are grateful for the chance to get older as they have lost family and friends at an early age and know how precious life is.

Others fight it all the way by putting toxins in their bodies for the chance to stay looking younger for as long as they can.

Some grasp it with both hands and see it as an opportunity to live life to the fullest and seem to forget that their bodies may take time to catch up with what their minds think they can do.

Others see it as just another number rolling around and continue living their life as they see fit.

Some fear the onset of old age due to the unknowns ahead with the impending loss of mental and bodily functions.

I must admit I’m probably a mix of many of these statements and as I’m currently 54 I’m well and truly on the way into old age.  Middle age is well past for me, as I’m very unlikely to live until I’m 108!

Women particularly have a hard time as they get older as they have spent a great deal of their lives being judged by their physical appearance and aging can sure take its toll on the body.  As my mother says “getting old isn’t for wimps”.

I found this TED talk by Jane Caro, an Australian author aged 57 and a half, a broadcaster and a commentator, that summarises many of the issues for women as they age and celebrates the many wonderful upsides.  You may even laugh! I really enjoyed it and found myself agreeing with her.

Women in the west are the healthiest, wealthiest, most active women in history, Caro says.

So why on earth “does the world want me to hate and deny this stage of my life?”

Getting older concentrates the mind, she says. Forget about wasting the money you now have and the time you have left on desperately trying not to look like yourself.

“Why would I want to pretend that I am not my age?” Caro asks. “I have earned every bit of my age.”

Ageing is a valid stage in our life: it has things to teach us… like letting go of vanity, like [worrying] what other people think of us, like [seeking] approval.”

“It’s literally your last chance to be exactly who you are, and to find out who that is.”

Source: http://www.hoopla.com.au

Sit back, grab a tea or a coffee and enjoy the next 18 minutes or so.  Be aware that she doesn’t pull any punches. Click on the link below and then the clip within the article.

Jane Caro: My tits don’t hurt – ever

Let me know what your thoughts are after you’ve watched it, I’m very interested to hear from you!

Deb 🙂