Last month, I was talking to a friend whose husband has been retired for a few years now. She was telling me that when people ask what he’s been doing, or how he fills his days, he wants to say – “I’m great, loving life. Just don’t look behind the curtain!” View Post
By “definition,” a super-ager does most things right as it pertains to living a healthy, happy, long life. For instance, they exercise regularly, they eat right (for the most part), and they surround themselves with loved ones and stimulating/fulfilling activities and interests.
On top of that, they use their brains . . . actually, they really push their brains.
Brain research has found that the areas of the brain that are considered “emotional,” such as the regions of the limbic system, are major hubs for general communication throughout the brain. The thicker these regions of cortex are, the better a person’s performance on tests of memory and attention.
So which activities, if any, will increase your chances of remaining mentally sharp into old age? Well, the best answer, according to the research, is to work hard at something. Whether the effort is physical or mental, you can help keep these regions of the brain thick and healthy through vigorous exercise and bouts of strenuous mental effort. And when you tire of the effort or feel discomfort, that’s the time to push past the temporary unpleasantness. Brain tissue gets thinner from disuse, so remember: If you don’t use it, you lose it!
One last thing, and this is a big one and possibly the most difficult, is to choose your words carefully. Really, no kidding.
Our self-talk is extraordinarily powerful, and often, it is so habitual that we’re not fully conscious of the negative, or positive, effect it has on our lives or our bodies.
Women are especially good at tearing ourselves down for not being thin enough, smart enough, assertive enough, brave enough, young enough, and “insert any other judgment here” enough from your personal stash.
So before we speak or think or listen to or write another negative word, consider this from the book “Within” by Dr. Habib Sadeghi.
“We’ve learned that everything in the universe is energy in different states of vibration. Therefore, everything has its own frequency, like a guitar string that is plucked and creates a specific musical note. We also know that words have very powerful vibrations based on how they make us feel. This is why it’s so important to not only be conscious of the words we choose when affirming our good, but to become aware of how we casually use words to sabotage ourselves.”
So the next time you almost say something like “I’m too fat, too old, too slow, remember that every cell of your body is listening. Like mom used to say, “If you can’t say anything nice (about yourself included), don’t say anything at all.”
I don’t know about you, but I find all of this pretty exciting – especially the “words” thing. Just think how much control you can have on your overall well-being by simply watching your words, whether it’s your own self-talk, or the words you read or listen to.
OK, fellow Super Agers. Let’s do this. Move your body now, feed your body well, work that brain hard, and whisper “sweet everythings” into your own ear every single day.
Are you with me?
Till next time,
Judy
There’s that word again . . . inspired.
All this talk of inspiration has made me think about those things that inspire me and send me off with an excitement to start “making” something, anything. It’s like a little fire-in-the-belly moment I’m after. View Post
Two days ago, I celebrated my blog’s one-year birthday. How about that? It caught me by surprise when I looked at the date on the calendar and realized how quickly that had come around. Kinda scary.
A whole year. 75 posts. Untold support and encouragement from so many people. And lots of learning on my part (with much more to go, of course).
So, onward.
Since my post last week when I spoke to feeling a lack of inspiration lately, I have received all kinds of support. Some came in the form of comments or emails or calls from friends (all very much appreciated). Others came by way of example.
Case in point. #timesup #oprahOMG #metoo
At the Golden Globes Sunday night, Oprah gave one of the most electrifying and inspiring speeches I’ve heard in a long time (in my opinion, anyway).
Even though she was addressing the gender inequality in Hollywood, and basically all industries, the essence of her speech, and of the TimesUp and MeToo movements, is all about finding our own voice. Speaking up. Leaning in. Getting on with it.
In the crazy clatter of these complicated times, and with the fears and insecurities that hold us all back in different ways, each of us – women and men – must find and express ourselves in the authentic, true-to-oneself way that only we can do. Especially as we get older when we have so much to share. I believe it is our imperative, our obligation, to step up, find our way, and show ourselves and others a better way.
All of that got me thinking. Maybe this case of low-inspiration that I’m experiencing is merely a cover for not feeling or following my own voice. Perhaps that’s the path to finding the inspiration that will guide me.
“If you can see your path laid out in front of you step by step, you know it’s not your path. Your own path is the one you make with every step you take. That’s why it’s your path.” Joseph Campbell
OK, there’s a little tingle. I’m feeling something. Times up!
Take a step . . . just take a step, and then another, and another . . . and . . . you get the point. I don’t have to figure it all out now, I don’t have to know what the path is exactly, I just have to start.
I can do that.
Speaking of getting started, one of the emails of support that I received last week was from a dear friend (thank you, Peter) who offered a great suggestion to help me get unstuck.
It seems my friend had another friend who had “stepped off “ her career years ago, and with all the sudden free time she then had, she decided to tackle it head on. She and a buddy decided to do something new, something they’d never done before, every single week for a year. A year! 52 things!
OK, I’ll admit I’m not ready to take on the weekly game, but once a month sounds doable – and fun – to me. If I can manage more than that, I will.
By the way, I’m open to ideas on what some of these things could be, so if you have any, send them my way, please. Nothing crazy now – I’m not jumping out of an airplane or off a mountaintop, just so you know.
I’ve come up with a few simple ideas – one of which is “throwing clay.” My husband has resumed his interest in pottery/ceramics and goes to a studio to throw said clay every week. He said I could come with him one day and he’d show me how to do it. Sounds like fun. So, I’m in.
The other thought was that I could take a cake-decorating class. Now, I have absolutely no interest in decorating cakes (eating them, yes, decorating – not so much), but maybe that’s the point. Trying something new, something different than I would typically gravitate to might stimulate the inspiration pot that I’m trying to smoke . . . er . . . stir (just a joke given California’s new legalized status).
Other things might be:
So now I have some things in mind to get me started, and I’m reading a lot of inspiring material, talking to inspiring people and generally feeling a whole lot better. And I can see things (inspiration) beginning to take shape already.
Wish me luck. Better yet – join me in the “something new every month” adventure. There’s nothing to lose, and lots of inspiration to be gained.
Because . . . Times up!
Till next time,
Judy
I have a question for you. What age do you most often feel? My guess is that it’s not anywhere near your actual age, but actually much younger. Am I right? View Post