What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about aging?
Is it negative or positive? Does it make you feel sad or happy? Too many people associate aging with negativity. When in reality it can be the best time of your life. Many older women live vibrant and fulfilling lives as they age. More and more women are setting records and breaking through barriers. But there are women that use age as an excuse to get out of doing things they don’t want to do. How often have you heard an older women say “I’m too old for that”? These women are setting their own limitations; which is fine if that is what makes them happy but the rest of us need to make sure that we are not letting their limitations Influence our thinking regarding aging.
I cannot speak for anyone else but for me there are many things that I love about aging.
- Number one is that I have learned to handle stress and anxiety so much better than I did when I was younger. I have always been a person that likes to take on new things and achieve new goals. There were times in my life when I was so busy creating something, such as a new business, that I did not know anxiety was building up inside me until it showed up as some physical manifestation. Over the years I learned to be more in tune with my thinking and recognize the stress before it became a physical symptom. I learned that anyone can have a “toolbox’ of things that will help them handle stress and anxiety. I learned that you will never get rid of stress and anxiety but it is your relationship to the anxiety that you need to work on. I have learned ways to do that through meditation.
- Number two I have accepted that there are some things that I am no longer comfortable doing. Acceptance is a big factor in enjoying your older years. If you are constantly angry that you cannot still do everything that you use to do you will create your own negativity. Instead accept that this is a completely natural place for you to be and explore all the options that are perfect for you at this time in your life. You are not the same person you were ten or twenty years ago you want to grow and expand your world to all the new and exciting options for this time in your life. Look to other active women who can introduce you to new things instead of dwelling on the old.
- Number three I have learned the importance of attitude. Attitude is everything and changing how you look at something can change how you feel about it. Changing how you feel about it can change the outcome. If you have a positive outlook and approach challenges with a can-do attitude, you are more likely to overcome adversity and make the most of each day. Attitude shapes everything in your life, your thoughts, emotions, behavior and relationships.
- Number four I have less fears. Looking back over my life I can see that most of the things I have feared, never happened. Things that did happen no matter how bad showed me that I have the inner stamina and resources to get through them. Every difficulty changed my perspective, taught me something new and allowed me to learn to view an experience in a new light.
- Last but not least I can see how far I have come. With aging comes experience and that is a powerful reminder of how much you’ve accomplished and how much you’re capable of accomplishing in the future. It’s important to take time to appreciate your achievements, no matter how small they may seem, and use them to motivate you towards continued success. Aging means you are growing and now you can not only see how far you have come but how far you can still go.
Aging does not mean stopping it means you now have an accumulated wisdom that is unstoppable if you want it to be. Let the “want too” inside of you lead you to new places and new things.
Biography – Candace Cima
I am a seventy-six year old Business Woman, Artist and Former Model residing in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate NY. I have maintained a daily Yoga and Exercise practice for over 35 years. When I am not working in my office or my gym you will find me in my art studio. It is my goal to inspire women of all ages to continue to feel confident, relevant and enthusiastic about life. I truly believe that aging is changing.
