The Silver Lining of Being a Boomer: The New Aging Paradigm.
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Learning to age as an individual is highly influenced by the societal perspective of what it means to age.
Our society doesn’t provide many great role models or beneficial attitudes for aging. When I was younger, I didn’t think much about aging. I felt from experience that olders were easy to be around and enjoyable to talk to — they had less drama in their life, and they took the time to listen to my experiences and reflect with me.
I learned from my family and life experiences that getting older was a natural part of the process, and that everything would be fine. Now that I’m deep in the aging process, I know that perspective influences experience.
As I gracefully stroll over the hill, well-established in my 60s, I see the perspective of enjoying the aging process is not a widely shared view. In fact, women, in particular, pay a hefty price in the aging arena. We are constantly bombarded by the cultural marketing machine which delights in focusing on everything that we are not. I want to age differently.
I’d love to shift the conversation with my peers from disempowerment to empowerment.
The negative connotations of eldering will continue in their current state unless we both own our individual aging, and demand something different of others. A new eldering paradigm cultivates an attitude that honors our value. We are creating the new roadmap and becoming the new role models for a society that will continue to live longer.
We have the opportunity to open the doorway, to forge the path of aging consciously, successfully, and mindfully. As we pioneer the aging process, let’s honor our ripening by making life-enhancing choices to become both radiant and wise — I can get on board with that.
As parents and community members, we try everything in our power to support our young people with healthy self-esteem, confidence, skills, and resilience. Why then do we sell ourselves short past 50? Why do we let ourselves be sold to, convinced that aging is negative, to be avoided and fought against? Why is older, experienced and wiser not better?
If youth is wasted on the young, then why are we not taking the lessons and experiences learned, and putting them to better use for ourselves and our communities as we age? As pioneers of the conscious aging process, let’s re-frame what it means to get old, and claim the beauty, the wisdom and the honor of aging.
The midlife mind-trap slogan is often It’s all downhill from here. We often fail to recognize the bounty of a long-lived life if we get fixated on the fear of death. Many of us do not value ourselves and honor our time, thereby we are complacent to society’s failure. It is up to us to set the standard for how society views and treats aging people. Rather than feeling like it’s all downhill, my mindset is There is no time left to waste.
The new journey for us can become How do I do age consciously, mindfully, and with intention?
As I entered my midlife journey, I realized certain relationships no longer nurtured me, I had no patience for mindless conversations, and I discovered my new mantra: Whatever is not truth falls away. Rather than fighting against the reality of aging and feeling morbid, this aging/eldering journey fascinates me. I do not have time for the anti-aging mindset. I do not find it helpful or constructive.
Consider for yourself: Do you really have time for anything less than an intentional and meaningful aging journey? Does it feel effective to, in any way, big or small, avoid the inevitable reality of being an aging person?
I’ve chosen to keep exploring the deep and rich river of conscious eldering. This process is not always sweet smelling roses and easeful. Often aging feels to the contrary, but it is the journey that my body, mind, and spirit are on.
One truth I know for sure: From the moment we are born, we are all aging. Therefore, what approach would serve us best for our aging process? There is never a better time than the present, so let us celebrate the journey of wisdom we gain through aging, and apply it to our lives and our communities to support a vibrant experience of life, whether you’re heading up the hill, or enjoying the journey down.
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Kerry Temple-Wood is the founder of The Art of Conscious Aging and the 63rd Street Yoga Studio in Niwot, CO. With 45+ years of experience practicing Yoga and cultivating a solid foundation of humility and humor, Kerry’s wisdom exudes from her being, inspiring those around her through her teaching, writing and educational programs. She is passionate about exploring the feminine journey individually and collectively. Her connection to Yoga and awakened consciousness has been a thread woven through all the experiences of her life, such as relationships, marriage, motherhood and parenting, menopause and conscious aging. To learn more about Kerry, her offerings and insights, visit The Art of Conscious Aging and 63rd Street Yoga.
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