Aging Deliberately

Let’s start with this: I know people who were old when they were thirty, and I know people who are still young in their eighties and nineties. I’ll bet you do, too. I suppose that I have been interested in the aging process in some way or another since I was in my thirties. I really didn’t think about what it would be like for me to be middle-aged or “elderly,” however, until I was in the thick of it – say, about fifty-eight. All of a sudden I began telling others who cared to know my age for some reason that I was “almost sixty.” I would make this revelation proudly and hopeful that I might stir up a little surprise. At sixty-four, this practice continues as I often refer to myself as being in my mid-sixties and, again, hope for at least some incredulity on the asker’s part. It’s a bit egocentric, I suppose, but my approach is working. The question then becomes: What exactly is my approach toward aging working for or, put another way, what am I attempting to accomplish by making a conscious effort to age deliberately? The answer to this question is not necessarily complicated, but it is extensive and it is important and … it is the underlying theme of this book.

This brings up an interesting question that you very well may be asking yourself: Why does Steve think that he has any standing to write a book about aging deliberately? I am so glad that you (may have) asked. My answer is not complicated. I am in very good health – despite a few aches and pains that we will address later - extremely happy, in love, busy with worthwhile activities, and having a jolly good time each and every day of my life. I am also a teacher as well as a life-long student. I like to think that life has taught me a few things that have proven to be helpful as I moved into “middle age” and are proving to be helpful to this very day. I will hasten to add here that lots of what I have learned has been through personal experiences (you know … screw ups ) and what I have observed others going through. Consequently, I sincerely believe that I have some ideas to share with you that may either strengthen your resolve to continue doing the things that are making the aging process a pleasure and not the enemy or may convince you to consider some changes that just may bring you more joy, fulfilment, and fun as you gain years. I don’t expect anyone reading this to feel that it is necessary to embrace and practice every one of my offerings for aging deliberately. I do hope, however, that you will at least consider following my lead on at least some of the practices that have brought me a great deal of fulfilment as I have added years to my life.

My point here is that it is up to each of us – working with whatever limitations and gifts we may possess – to make the most of each day of our lives. This means paying attention to balance, trying to make good, healthy, ethical choices regarding our own welfare and that of others, and making the effort to forge ahead … not giving into inertia. In other words, in these pages I am attempting to make my very best case for the practice of aging deliberately – whatever variations to that theme you may choose to make. The rewards, I think you will ultimately agree, are huge – both to you and those around you.

Ultimately, aging deliberately means growing as we age, and truly growing as we age takes effort – emotional, intellectual, physical effort. I am convinced that this effort and what results from it makes each day at least slightly better than the wonderful one that preceded it. My hope is that this book will bolster your view if you feel the same way about aging that I do or that it will encourage you to make the effort - and, consequently, find your life more rich and fulfilling - if you currently do not.