The Aging Complex

by Anon.

When we contemplate our society and nation today, we know that in this twenty-first century the emphasis is clearly on youthfulness and our ability to perform, which has created a kind of aging complex.

What a sad commentary.

It seems as though we have a sort of built in self-destruct mechanism because we in America have made a god out of youth. We have men and women struggling desperately to avoid growing old succumbing to the fallacy of remedies that promise to keep us looking and feeling young.

We want to maintain our youthfulness and vitality so that society will accept us and we can accept ourselves. We have made so much ado about age that seemingly, we have become increasingly fearful of the aging process. And yet, it seems strange that this should be the case because the truth of the matter is that all humanity, if we stay on the scene of life, will grow old. We will not be able to perform the way we use to.

The day is coming when all of us will be sitting where millions of others have sat. The day is coming when we will no longer be able to speak for ourselves, care for ourselves, think as fast, see as clearly or hear as keenly as we once did. So the question is not how do we stay young but rather, how do we prepare for the inevitable old age?

Wisdom necessitates that we accept life on its own terms. The peace of mind and spirit afforded many in the aging drama has come because they have accepted life as it is and then worked with it.

It is ridiculous to rebel against the inevitable. Life itself demands change and the idea of change is something we must live with even though few learn to accept it gracefully.

We want to hang on when it is time to let go; time to release the aging complex; time to experience a radical change in outlook; time to make a decision for freedom to grow with our new selves; time to put on a new attitude and dare to think new mature thoughts.

Mature seniors appreciate the consummation of our lives thus far and we wear it proudly. We rejoice in the wisdom and understanding that accompanies age and we know we are rich in blessings.

As Samuel Ullman once said, “You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear; as young as your hope, as old as your despair”.

Until death, we are flexible and adventurous enough to choose life.