Are you thinking young or old?

I don't know who said it, but I like it...

"Youth" is looking forward, "old" is looking back.

No fear of aging

When I was 20 or 30 years old, I probably wouldn’t have been very impressed with this video clip I want to share with you.

In my younger years, I didn't appreciate the demonstrations many seniors were making over old-age claims, since I didn't consider myself "in that group." But as the years have rolled by, I’ve become more sensitive to these demonstrations and appreciative of them when I see them.


This clip is about a woman of 85 who doesn’t fear aging. She tells everyone she is 85, but in her mind, she doesn’t identify 85 as a time to withdraw from life, sit on the sofa of resignation all day or retire from productive activity. She has exemplified quite the opposite, and she’s an inspiration to study.


If you watch the video, listen carefully to her attitude about life. She wants to live, do something useful, be active and make others happy. And she’s doing it with grace, beauty, ability and confidence.


Some observers may argue that she has good genes and is thus able to be an active octogenarian. Perhaps she does have good genes, but I would argue that it’s not her genes that give her the freedom she expresses. It’s her good attitude and unselfish perspective. And if anything forms another, it’s the attitude that forms the genes, not the other way around, as studies have proved in the past.


Enjoy. Here’s the clip, “Dorothy Kloss.”

How old do you feel?

Somewhere, recently, I read an article about a family reunion where four generations of family members had gathered together. The patriarch of the family was a great grandpa who had 92 years behind him. He was a healthy active man.

At one point, the youngsters asked grandpa, “When did you start feeling old?” And he replied, “I’ve never felt old. I feel as young today as when I was your age.”

I said, “Right on!” when I read his comment, because I feel the same way. I don’t feel one little bit older now than I did 40 years ago. My mind is more active than ever, more expansive, more liberated from limited beliefs, and my life is lived at a much higher level. It feels great to be where I am. There is nothing backward or regressive about living life.

Why do some people feel old with advancing years? It's all a matter of perspective...

If we characterize our life in material ways, for example, by how many miles we can run and how fast, how many pounds we can lift, by the absence of wrinkles on our face, or simply by the number of years we’ve counted, we have a limited sense of life’s possibilities, and feel limited accordingly. But when life is measured by the good accomplished, the love expressed, the wisdom gained, there is no regression or diminishing of mental strength and activity. There is only constant progress and healthy growth. And the body will stay healthy too that is governed by the healthy thought.

Perhaps the physical body doesn’t do the same things at 60 that it did at 20, but that doesn’t matter. Life is not about the physical. It’s about the spiritual. And when the spiritual is flourishing, the body comes along without complaint, adjusting and adapting to the spiritual demands of the moment. What are we accomplishing spiritually is the big question to answer aright.

Every time I see ninety year old men happily playing tennis at my local court club, I’m reminded how illusionary the so-called effects of growing old is. They never quit living or thinking. And then I notice others who retire, fall into a state of idleness and lack of initiative, and whither away into a mental and physical state of inactivity. There is a lesson here!

The active mind leads an active life. The expansive mind leads an expansive life. The progressive mind leads a progressive life. And the most active, expansive and progressive life one can lead is the spiritually inspired one. When thought is inspired, uplifted and progressively engaged with truth, it is going to be forging into new fresh mental territory on a regular basis, and the inspired life lived follows right behind.

So, how old do you feel? Ideally, not old at all! Life is too fun and engaging to spend time thinking about age.

“Life is eternal. We should find this out, and begin the demonstration thereof. Life and goodness are immortal. Let us then shape our views of existence into loveliness, freshness, and continuity, rather than into age and blight.” Mary Baker Eddy

Age and youth

“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.
In the central place of every heart, there is a recording
chamber; so long as it receives messages of beauty,
hope, cheer, and courage, so long are you young.”

~ General MacArthur

How old do you think you are?

This quote caught my attention:

How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?

~ Satchel Paige

What do you think? If you had never counted birthdays and totally lost track of your birth date, how old would you think you were?

Some people claim they’re 49 going on 30. Others say they’re 60 and complain like they’re 90. Some are 50 and act like they’re 15.

It’s a thought provoking question.

If I were to answer the question, I’d say I feel around 27. After I do 30 sit-ups and 30 push-ups with my son in his exercise routine, I’m not sure I feel like I’m 27… :) but honestly, on the inside, I feel very very young.

Not far from hitting the half-century mark, many people my age think of winding down…of when they want to retire, slow-down their activity, and join the “sipping lemonade in the sun” club. But not me! I have so many adventures yet to embark on, discoveries yet to make and spiritual advancements to achieve, I see several decades of vigorous, productive, and profitable engagement ahead of me. I’ve barely begun…

Having said that, honestly, I shy away from the whole year-counting fascination anyway because I’ve received so much grief about my age in the past.

For ten years I lectured on Christian Science and spiritual healing across North America in front of hundreds of audiences, and to tens of thousands of people. Before an event, I would greet people as they entered the auditorium, shaking their hands and getting acquainted.

Many attendees would be surprised when I introduced myself as the speaker and pop out words like “But you’re so young.” Sometimes their comment indicated delightful surprise, but other times it felt like a disqualification for speaking with credibility. I had such a youthful look for my age that many people took me for 15-20 years younger than I was. It happened so frequently, I started to expect it.

At first it bothered me because it felt like my youthful appearance was a liability for my career. But fortunately I did not buy into that false line of reasoning.

I thought about Bill Gates and his youthful look. It didn’t stop him from forging ahead. Whether you agree with his tactics or not, he didn’t let outward appearances stymie the fulfillment of his vision.

So, I gave up concern about what age I appeared to be long ago. I cherish Mary Baker Eddy’s statement, “Man in Science is neither young nor old.”

Science is a term she uses to refer to how God governs the universe, including man. Under the laws of God, our capacity for success, our abilities, strengths and outlook have nothing to do with passing years, but everything to do with God’s ever-present ability to sustain, maintain, invigorate and prosper us.

God’s strength never wanes or wavers, never ages, or passes away. He is our source, and when we stay conscious of our at-one-ment with God, we feel the ageless power of Spirit sustain us day by day, regardless of what date the calendar reads. We grow stronger, happier and healthier, not the opposite.

So, back to the question, “How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?”

The best answer I can think of is, “I’m neither young nor old, but ageless!”

Life is eternal. Years are irrelevant.

Maya Angelou's thoughts on growing older

In April, of last year, Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 74th birthday. Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older. And, there on television, she said it was "exciting," and went on to share some of the reasons why.

Angelou is quoted as saying:

I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.

I've learned that making a "living" is not the same
thing as "making a life.

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's
mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back.

I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone.People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.