I can’t stand the term “anti-aging.” I turned 48 last month, which is dangerously close to 50. To be honest, I am unsure how I feel about these numbers. So it was, therefore, timely that we’re featuring the article “Aging with Passion and Purpose,” by Debora Shouse, in this month’s issue. After all, shouldn’t that be our goal? Shouldn’t we stop fighting aging with Botox and liposuction and instead have the guts and character to embrace it with passion and purpose? Perhaps the best advice in the article (spoiler alert) is when Dr. Bill Thomas points out that “once you
appreciate yourself and your years, you can relinquish outdated expectations and seek to discover your true self.” WOW!☺ Well put.
Do you appreciate yourself? My gut says you don’t. And because you don’t, age only seems to bring more stress, weight gain, disappointment, and, worse, lipo and Botox! Try this exercise that’s in my new book, A Year of Inspired Living (shameless plug, amzn.to/2spoepK). Sit yourself down with a pen and a piece of paper and ask yourself, “What do I appreciate about myself and my years?” Then just write, freeform. You are going to be amazed at what shows up. It’s a good idea to tack this list up somewhere easily visible. Remember how you got to where you are now—with hard work, determination and a belief in yourself. Remember your amazing and unique qualities, appreciate yourself, and then demand that others do the same.
Anti-aging is bulls**t! Aging with purpose—that is the key. What is your purpose in your second act? Shouse offers plenty of ideas to help us age with passion and purpose, but perhaps the most important is her advice to “fill the funnel with friends.” I think this is essential; the value of friendship is immeasurable. You must make time for friends; they will be critical supporting characters in your second act. If you find that your friend group has diminished over the years, then it is imperative you fill that void. I recognize that it’s not as easy as it sounds. Making friends in grammar school was a piece of cake since we didn’t come with the baggage of opinions and self-doubt. We also had access to other children for eight hours a day five days a week.
The truth is nothing worth having comes easy (hello six-pack abs!); however, social media can help you start connecting with old friends. Reconnect and suggest a meetup for coffee. Speaking of meetups, there are a ton of Long Island meetup groups to join based on similar interests. Book clubs are another great way to meet people. Looking for more ideas? Sign up for a dating site, like NASingles.com or OurTime.com. Recently, one of our staff members joined OurTime and shared how much she is enjoying dating and meeting people. While they have not all been “love connections,” she is out there building new relationships with the supporting characters for the second act.
Don’t wait. I recommend you begin creating a blueprint for the second half of your life, because, like Thomas points out in the article, “The best chapters may be near the end of the book.”
Malama Pono!
Kelly Martinsen, Publisher
Kelly Martinsen’s book, A Year of Inspired Living, is available on Amazon.com. Preorder for $7.80 and plan your 2018 as the most inspired year yet.
