Does Age Really Matter?

I think we’ve all heard the expression that age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” Everyday presents opportunities to live you life to the max, regardless of whether you are 5, 15, 55 or 95. Yet, the reality is that there are 90 year olds that live life more fully than a teen that is stuck on snapchat or instagram 24/7. So often we hear about the youth revolution that goes back to the 60’s but now I believe we’ve entered into the ‘Baby-Boomer’ jet setting retirement era. It’s amazing how someone like a Jimmy Carter or George Bush, both in their 90’s continue to impact the world, even as they have battled cancer or personal crises.

So why is it so difficult for life to be lived to the full regardless of whether we are young or a senior that is now able to get discounts? Sadly too often the young rush into being old and the old are fearful too often of purposely living out their 2^nd childhood or career to shame their kids and grandkids. Who says that you have to be in the proverbial rocking chair watching Netflix instead of being outdoors walking, hiking or visiting the new aquarium or doing a road trip to San Diego to surf at Ocean Beach?

A couple of life lessons for all! First our seniors need to remember that they too were once young, foolish, ambitious and crazy so to give the up and coming generation some slack to realize, hopefully soon, that grandma or grandpa really are cool and do have incredible stories to share if you take the time to listen! I know that most youngsters have a difficult time listening or taking advice from anyone but especially older people. The perception is that old people are cranky and don’t care and that younger people are disrespectful and inconsiderate. Clearly there is a little bit of truth in both these statements.

The opportunity is to live life to the MAX regardless of whether you are 5 or 95! So it’s ok to play video games, do snapchat, rock in that chair outside or go climb a mountain. The choice is whether you make age an issue. Trust me I believe that the new 60 is really like being 40 again!