Secrets To Growing Young (Ladies, I’m Talking To You)
by Dan Miranda on April 24, 2009
in Productivity, Time Management
As time goes by, we quickly think we are just the old crinkly body sitting in the corner uncared for and neglected. We are quick to make the assumption that because we are old, we are without value. While this is untrue, it is also morally wrong.
Now judging from the response I’ve gotten on this site (comments, emails, etc.) I’ve found that most of us here are young guns and haven’t yet felt the rash of fire that will come with age. When our biological clock starts ticking, turning it off is sometimes the best thing. However sometimes it’s not as easy as we would like. Why not do the opposite of what everyone thinks we’ll do? Why not embrace the advanced years?
Of course, I don’t expect you to know how to do this. Here are some tips on how to keep a “young” mental age:
- Accept death. The way I see it, the world is full of fear. Death is one of the most common things for the human brain to worry about, but it doesn’t have to be. You see, if we welcome death, it has a lesser chance of effecting us and changing our actions. Of course, this is a somewhat cynical view on life, but it’s a way we can improve ourselves.
- Look at old photos to acquire old memories. One of the most common problems I have with older people is that they refuse to look into their past. While this is not only essential, it is also very helpful when picking out times you like to remember. Often times I find pictures as my grandpas computer screen saver; I can only assume it’s to cherish those old times.
- Do something new to acquire new memories. Try different places, go to new hang out spots, live life like you never have before. It will make a difference on how young you feel. Go to a hip new resturant and try a food you haven’t heard of before. You don’t like it, so what?
- Have energy. I recently wrote a post about how it’s incredibly effective if you have more energy. It makes you produce more productive hours while giving you the ability to do great things with your life.
- Throw away things unnecessary to you. Notice the difference between necessary and unnecessary. Those aforementioned pictures are probably necessary. That 2003 edition of Sports Illustrated is probably not. While I am a firm believer of cherishing what is old, understanding that there is no time for that magazine is key. The magazine is only there to remind you of the negatives that have happened in the period of time.
- Have fun. One thing I took away from my mom’s advice is to always have fun in life, you can only do it once. No matter what age you are, I think it’s necessary that you do something that you love at least once a week. It’s the reason I’m constantly writing. What can I say, it’s enjoyable!
- Spend some time with your significant other. Let’s be honest, sometimes popping the champagne bottle is the best solution. We’re on good terms as long as your not driving.
- Be your best self. Another thing I found was that people are unwilling to be their best self at older ages. Hang out, relax, Florida – we’ve all heard the stories. But a concept many fail to understand is just because you aren’t working, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be working to be better.
- Learn. I once had a subsitute teacher who told me something extraordinary about life. He said every time you learn something new your brain cells open up – almost – new valleys and streams. “Learning produces new ways to learn more information,” I can recall him saying. I was quick to call his hypothesis useless and dim-witted when he slapped down a sheet of paper from a highly reliable news source. What’s my point? Learning like you did when you were younger is always a great way to remind yourself that you really are young.
A Lesson From The Native Americans
Just like the different nationalities, the different Native American tribes all are unique and special in their own way, but they have similar qualities that make them who they are. There is one straight-forward maxim they preach about age: “The eldest is the wisest.” Now I don’t know if any Native American ever actually said this, but it still can be preached tirelessly.
There is one predominant reason why this pithy quotation holds true. The one who has lived the longest has, most likely, acquired the most knowledge. With the most knowledge comes the one with the most respect and there we see why eventually the eldest of a community became the ones to be the leaders.
A constant problem I see many people facing is that they haven’t found their passion at an age where they think it’s too late. I understand completely that what I’m about to say is as cliche as it gets. But seriously: it’s never too late to find your dreams.
Dreaming for big things and having large aspirations are probably a thing of the past for you. But what if I told you Jonathan Mead was going to give you his free eBook, to allow these hopes and dreams into your life again.
No matter the age, it’s never to late to reclaim your dreams. Jonathan Mead teaches that in his – somewhat – new eBook. And the lessons you’ll learn will be invaluable. That’s right. For a price of $19.99 – or in some cases, free! – acquire Reclaim Your Dreams by Jonathan Mead. You won’t look back on life.
Did this post remind you how old you are? Don’t let it. Fight the urge. You are really forty-four years young, not old. Coming from a thirteen year old, I understand this is skewed. I’ve never been in the shoes of someone who wanted to be younger. But I surely can help you and somebody has to do take you through the process!
Awesome. I think you really nailed it with the first one ‘Accept Death” once we do this life becomes a lot less scary. Its hard but death should be motivation to live our life to the fullest rather than shy away from it!
I really love your blog BTW very impressed with your writing and I look forward to your future posts…..
That was awsome!
I really enjoyed this post. So often people are talking about growing old so I love the idea of growing young. You have some very insightful points here and I love the Native American lesson!
http://positivelypresent.typepad.com
@PostivelyPresent: Happy you liked my Native American Analogy.
@Chris: Exactly, I think death is just there to push us, otherwise we would live for ever. Thanks for your heartwarming comments.
@Jessica: Glad you thought so.
All nine bullets hit the spot! hehehe! As for me, I shall always seek new knowledge and learn more. Death and the other physiological and pathological processes I can handle, it is being idle that really frightens me.
Another great post Dan!
And thank you for following back at twitter.
Z
Being idle is sometimes very difficult, it’s probably the most common way to procrastinate. Just to sit there. I’m reading a couple books on it right now, matter of fact.
I’m glad to be following such a man as yourself, it’s an honor.
i totally agree with everything that you wrote dan, but i would like to highlight my 2 favs; accept death and have fun!
Good attitude to develop while you’re young. My parents have always had friends of all ages and now that I’m heading into my 40s I find that I too have friends that span 20 years above and below me. That connection outside my generation definitely helps keep me young – and helps me build wisdom.
@elmot: Somewhat ironic that those are your two favorites as death is nothing close to fun.
Doesn’t mean you should fear it though.
@Alex: Yes, that was one of my main points. If you spend time with people who are in a large range, you are genuinely going to feel younger yourself.
Thanks for the awesome comments from everyone.
Really agree with “Have Fun”. It may sound trivial and cliched but it is actually the easiest of all. All you have to do is think about everyday little things that make you happy and do them. Enjoying every bite of your favorite food, enjoying a hot chocolate on a cold night e.t.c.
The happiness that is derived from these little things is often under-rated.
At 35, I feel younger than I ever did before. I take better care of my body and am always open to learning. I may not be elderly yet, but I think you’re very right about learning making us feel young.
One challenge we face as we age is that our culture tends not to value elders. Our challenge as younger people is to resist that tendency and respect and seek out their wisdom. We’ll all be there someday and will want to pass on our wisdom.
BTW: I just found your blog today, and I love it.
I usually try to ignore age, since I believe that health, resilience, wisdom, maturity, etc. are not necessarily marks of age, and focusing on age can be divisive, but it’s hard to read your posts and not marvel at your insight at 13. I look forward to reading more!
@RechargeYourMind: The amount of things that are underrated are immense. Just to bring it up as a general topic. Love, life, happiness, and fun all top the list in my opinion.
@Danny: I can tell by the three comments you left that you love the blog.
Thanks, incredibly appreciated.
As for the “challenge” that we face as young people, I really want to back that point. Just because there are some that are weak, doesn’t mean they should be treated any differently than others.
i agree….ehehe…if we want to live a good and long life, we should not fear death and enjoy life. we should enjoy the nation of death if we see it as a way to our ultimate fulfillment. of course, this is something really difficult to cultivate in a death-fearing consciousness
I think that throwing away things you don’t need is an important point here–and one that a lot of people have a hard time with. But it’s a really freeing thing when you can get rid of a bunch of junk that’s just laying around.
“I once had a substitute teacher who told me something extraordinary about life. He said every time you learn something new your brain cells open up – almost – new valleys and streams.”
I know it! This explains why I love blogging – it’s opening up new brain cells for me. Cool. I’ve always suspected as much.
I love the way you’ve worked the angle of being senior or old into your post, and that it’s crucial to think we’re as young as we feel. “,)
Noticing all the comments by guys…I thought this was written for ladies.
Just sayin’ : )
My two cents:
Keep the ability to dream alive. Dreams that are alive are in motion – something much like the thunderhead clouds I watched today. Fantastic dream stiring occurs with spontenaity and flexibility. Add a splash of the unexpected or unplanned when doing something new. And when stirring up old memories (expecially of the unexpected or unplanned) – laugh! Laughter is a great way to stay young!
Bravo!