It was a happy 70th birthday indeed.
Not for me but for my mom.
I mean, it wasn’t originally how I wanted it to be but since a bunch of things happened in between, we found ourselves celebrating my mom’s milestone in Bangkok, Thailand — a quick escape I didn’t know I needed.
Because that unplanned time off not only allowed me to bond with my family, but also reflect and recalibrate in between, while broadcasting remotely and attending my PHD class virtually on the side . Whew. But all worth it.
Looking at how happy my mom was daily at her age was eye opening for me.
I mean before, when I was younger, I used to be terrified about the mere thought of aging.
But now at 44 and seeing my mom at 70, it made me realize that life can just be as good, maybe even better as we age.
And yes, aging isn’t exactly the time to sulk and worry. You deserve so much more even if your skin turns wrinkly and your hair, gray.
So not true. To be candid about it, you can be in your teens or twenties and feel you’re dying inside. Or you can be in your 70s or 80s and feel that life has just begun. It’s really up to you how to make the years count. Never let your age determine the level of happiness you’re allowed to have. And no, for as long as you take good care of yourself, find joy in yourself and the simplest things and not let your what could have beens distract you from the beauty of the now, you’re not dying– you’re living fully, no matter how old you are.
2. As you age, you lose your significance
Your worth as a person was never based on your age or your ability to cope with current trends. It’s based on the person that you have chosen to become through the years, your ability to weather through storms and inspire others to do the same as you live your purpose and journey towards your own #bestmeever . Don’t let the years gone by make you forget how amazing you are in the eyes of others, and hopefully, in your own, too.
3. It’s too late to start all over again
“I’m too old for that.”
“It’s too late for me.”
“I wish I had done it when I was younger.”
Now, if you catch yourself saying any of these, please do me a favor and stop. You don’t deserve to deprive yourself of the opportunity to grow, regardless of your age.For as long as you’re alive and you are truly committed to your goals and purpose, you can start all over again, as you are.
You, finally deciding to own your life, will always make you on time.
4. You will be consumed by regrets as you age
It’s not aging which makes you have regrets in the long run — it’s your decision making through years that have led you to feel that way simply because you weren’t at peace with your own results. The key here is to revisit your life and see it from a grateful lens. Everything happens for a reason. When you embrace that and focus on what’s under your influence and control, life goes on, and so can you, no matter what your age may be.
5. Age is but a number
It’s not. It’s a beautiful reminder of how many years you have existed in this life time. It’s a collection of beautiful memories you have made and milestones you have achieved. Not everyone gets to celebrate as many birthdays as you do. So the next time you celebrate yours, don’t be afraid or anxious. Instead, see it as an achievement: that you’ve made it this far, that you have new chances and opportunities ahead, and you’re still on your way to becoming your own #bestmeever .
I hope that after reading this blog, you get to appreciate yourself and your age better.
Time to celebrate yourself.
