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.