How To Age Gracefully, Be Happier Than Ever Before: Let Your Light Shine Like A Dragonfly
Posted: Wednesday, January 27, 2010
by Fran Larson
http://www.franniesquotes.com/
As I age, I want to be symbolically linked with the Dragonfly because a dragonfly is a symbol of the sense of self that comes with maturity.
Dragonflies are reminders that we are light and can reflect the light in powerful ways if we choose to do so. "Let there be light" is the divine prompting to use the creative imagination as a force within your life. They help you to see through your illusions and allow your own light to shine in a new vision. (Courtesy of wiki.com.)
Aging is a fact of life. Our culture teaches us that it is undesirable, horrible and downright disgraceful.
Most of our culture's television shows are geared for teens and those in their 20's. (Also, most television shows and books depict a mature person, perhaps over 50, as strange, almost senile, ugly, and definitely someone that should be shunned.)
Most of the chic clothing is made for teens. The clothing that is not for teens is unflattering, ugly and boring. Also, when you are a certain age, a q-tip haircut seems to be what you are supposed to be sporting.
The world in general wants us to be invisible, if not completely disappear when we arrive at a certain age.
So in light on all this negativity, it takes a lot of spirit and positive energy to age with happiness and self-acceptance. Here is my own personal formula for doing just that.
Don't let the world decide if you should wear boots or not. If you look good in something, go for it. That goes double for haircuts and clothing. I am not saying to try and look like a teen-ager, but dress tastefully in clothes that flatter you and stay in style.
Find a classy hairstyle and find a stylist that will take some time with you. If your hair doesn't look good, it makes you really feel bad about yourself.
2. Happiness comes from within; Make your own self happy.
To explain this, I am going to share one of my favorite poems:
"After a While"
(c)1971 Veronica A. Shoffstall
After a while you learn
the subtle difference
between holding a hand
and chaining a soul
And you learn that
love doesn't mean leaning
and company doesn't
always mean security
And you begin to learn
that kisses aren't contracts
and presents aren't promises
And you begin to accept your defeats
with your head up
and your eyes ahead
with the grace of a woman,
not the grief of a child.
And you learn to build
all your roads on today
because tomorrow's ground
is too uncertain for plans
and futures have a way of
falling down in mid-flight.
After a while you learn that
even sunshine burns
if you get too much.
So you plant your own garden
and decorate your own soul
instead of waiting for someone
to bring you flowers.
And you learn that you
really can endure
you really are strong and
you really do have worth.
And you learn and you learn
with every goodbye you learn.
the subtle difference
between holding a hand
and chaining a soul
And you learn that
love doesn't mean leaning
and company doesn't
always mean security
And you begin to learn
that kisses aren't contracts
and presents aren't promises
And you begin to accept your defeats
with your head up
and your eyes ahead
with the grace of a woman,
not the grief of a child.
And you learn to build
all your roads on today
because tomorrow's ground
is too uncertain for plans
and futures have a way of
falling down in mid-flight.
After a while you learn that
even sunshine burns
if you get too much.
So you plant your own garden
and decorate your own soul
instead of waiting for someone
to bring you flowers.
And you learn that you
really can endure
you really are strong and
you really do have worth.
And you learn and you learn
with every goodbye you learn.
3. Continue to learn new things.
This past year I have learned mah jongg, line dancing and new word games to keep my mind and body busy. I feel very young. When we no longer desire to learn, we really will grow old.
Henry L Doherty said Get over the idea that only children should spend their time in study. Be a student so long as you still have something to learn, and this will mean all your life.
In conclusion, I would like to say, the best years of your life could be your mature years.
I challenge you to consider suggestions for enjoying your life, as you age.
Here are a few well-know people who also have good thoughts about aging:
I have enjoyed greatly the second blooming... suddenly you find - at the age of 50, say - that a whole new life has opened before you.
Agatha Christie (1890 - 1976)
Aging is not 'lost youth' but a new stage of opportunity and strength.
Betty Friedan (1921 - 2006)
There is no old age. There is, as there always was, just you.
Carol Matthau, O Magazine, October 2003
(If you are asking yourself if your friendship is making you happy or dragging you down, see my article, How To Tell If Your Friendship Is Toxic
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Top-level comments on this article: (7 total)You have a great outlook Fran! Thanks for sharing it.
Hi Fran.Wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing this.Hugs,Dianne
Aging is maturing. There is no substitute for age as it brings with it wisdom. What people are afraid of are the signs of degeneration and discomfort that accompanies age. This happens however because we fail to look after the body properly. By all means do everything you have mentioned Fran but also learn how to add health to your years.Dancing is a great start. It allows your body to produce endorphins, hormones that give you a lift and remove pain. When your mood is right lots of other great things will follow. It is not only that your best years could be your mature years, but your best years are your mature years. They come with a grace young people will never have!Great writing and God bless you.
thank you for sharing ;)
We aren't getting OLD we are becoming mature vintage - unless we pick up the "old" attitude. I wouldn't want to go back to the years of yesterday because then I'd miss TODAY! Good article! Marijo
Wonderful article and I especially loved the poem. My best years started at forty and my life continues to get better. Thanks for sharing. Linda D
Very enjoyable article, and true! I enjoyed it greatly, thank you :)
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