What is your real age?

Do you know your real age? OK, how old are you? What is it based on? From the day you were born to today? That's just chronological.  And that's how we typically tell our age.  But the title of this post is "what's your real age?".  So there must be something more to it, right?

Got a birthday cake for my 50th! 

I just turned 50 this month.  What's the difference between this month and next month? Or the day of your birthday and the next? Just another day, right? Well, not if you just turned 50 years old.  That's half a century! But again, you're not 85 years old walking with a cane.  What if you're still keeping up with the 32 years old guys or gals hiking, doing martial arts, or playing basketball and soccer? Ladies do those sort of things too.  What do you have in common with the next 50 years old puffing and huffing? OK, you're no longer 30.  But, biologically, are you the same age as the man or woman out of shape and tired?  Biologically? So, our "real age" is not just in time, or chronological. 

So, if you're not 50 years old yet...and you didn't discard this, but you're actually reading it.  Great.  People who are not 50 old years, or 100,  think they'll never get there; but it happens so quickly.  You feel you were 25 years old, and it seems just like yesterday.  As for me, I'm happy, healthy, and so optimistic about the next 50 years to come.  It's gonna be fun.  Not just for me, for you too. 

You have friends and family! Life is good.

If you're 35, you'll be 50 in 15 years.  In other words, when 15 years pass by (which it will) you will no longer be 35, as much as you want to stay young and keep going to Disney World...  So, how do you prepare?  Take care of your body, your mind, and your spirit.  Watch how you use your back.  This is the first thing that start hurting when you lift heavy stuff.  Ladies with high heels...just don't do it everyday.  Bend down with your knees, not leaning forward. We all know that, but don't always do it.  You're laughing, because you think this is trivial? Guess what, I didn't do it all the time, and now my back hurts, sometimes, after lifting heavy stuff or after real strenuous exercise...and I'm in good shape.  Thank God, that's the only thing hurting, for now.
Do you use cream on face and neck, arms..., regularly? Sunscreen when needed? Again this is not trivial when we're talking about age.  Why do you think some people get wrinkles so fast? Take a minute and read on what to do to stay young at an early age.  Just Google the subject.  This will give you more "mileage".

You have beautiful children who love you.  Life is even better!

Your mind is important to take care of.  Read good books, books that stimulate your mind.  You've got to keep thinking ahead and stay up-to date.  I just finished reading "Hot, flat, and crowded" by Thomas Friedman and learned a lot.  A must read book by the way.  How can we stay sharp mentally if we don't get new and fresh ideas inside our minds constantly? Real Age is more mental than physical.  I feel 38, I act 38, I breathe 38, I do what 38 years old guys do, I even look...you decide on that.  38? That was a few years back.  (I got stuck on that age).  Maybe I need to adjust (mentally) to 40 now.  You, my friend,...pick an age, and be that age.  Go for it.  Stay fit, eat right, and keep your mind sharp. 

You have a lovely wife who loves you. You got it made! Happy birthday.

Your spiritual life.  You're a spirit in a body.  Not the other way around.  You need to nourish that spiritual side with what is right for you in your journey.  All I have to say here is this.  Don't neglect your spiritual being.  I have my spiritual life that enriches me greatly.  Find yours...and do it.  If you're a Christian, keep the faith.  If you're a Buddhist, you know what Buddhists do, ... This blog is not about religion and I'm not going to preach any specific faith here.  Find the way, on your own, the Truth that is immutable.  Your path is not mine and I trust that God will lead you as He has led me. 

Now! If you're over 50, let's talk. The best is to come! With all the advances in medical technologies, medicine in general, and geriatrics, it's a safe bet that someone who is less than 60 years old today can live to be 100 years old in 40 years or more. You now have more experience and wisdom.  You're more patient.  And you probably have already figured out that, in this sphere we're now in, ultimately, nothing really matters.  So, you're more (or totally) at peace.  (For me, it's in the spiritual and mental realms that truly matters).  You love the journey.  Being half way through or more, does have some benefits.

Celebrate your life. Stay young in mind and spirit, and you're young!

Today, you can plan and retire in a beautiful country by the beach or the mountains with a reasonable income.  This was not possible just a few years back.  Today, the world is our backyard.  We need to take care of our bodies now more than ever, eating healthy, exercising, and staying connected. 

Our real age is not measured in the number of years we've spent on earth.  It's more in the way we truly feel in our mind, body, and spirit.  We live in a manner that is consistent with the age we think we are.  (This is what this whole blog post is about.  So, please read the last couple of sentences again). Sure, some people (maybe most) may feel and act in a manner consistent with their chronological age, but you don't have to.  You certainly can be younger, or older, than your "age".  So, how old are you? Your "real age".

Today, we think, not of having electricity, but finding a way to generate clean, abundant, and cheap electrons to generate clean energy.  Computing power is getting greatly accelerated.  What will it be in 30 years when we can still fully enjoy it? We see more hybrid and electric cars on our roads today.  Do you remember what we used to have 15 years ago? Can you imagine 10 years from now, what you and I will be doing? I can't wait.  I'm just so excited about the future.  

When you look back at where we where just over 20 years ago, you can hardly imagine where we'll be in the next 20 years.  We'll still be young enough to enjoy it.  Are you getting as excited about the future as I am?  The future is full of promises and hope.  Let's embrace it.  Sure, there will always be the gloom and doom prophets, exceptionally in this temporarily recessionary times.  But you and I know "this too shall pass".

Sure, I'm only 50 years old, and you may be younger or older, but the future is bright for both of us.  I'm full of optimism about it.  Embrace the future, prepare for it, and enjoy it. 

If you liked this post, share it.  The icons are at the bottoms.  Thanks.  ...and you put some comments, I'd love to continue the discussion.

P.S. The pictures on this post were taken from by birthday's "little" celebration.