Emotions – Own your age, you’ve earned it!

Yes, we do age, and the thought of this can be scary; but you do not need to buy into all the gloomy pictures of ageing.

If you focus your attention on developing and maintaining a joyful and vital mental and emotional state, this state then directly impacts on, and enlivens, your body’s vitality. These factors are closely linked, and looking after the one will have positive impact on the other.

The essential findings of research investigating the impact of emotions on the way we age, is that emotional state and attitude hold the key to ageing with elegance. The recommendations are:

• On a daily basis, actively seek out things to be appreciative and joyful about. Doing this daily practice develops an attitude of joyful expectation for the future.
• Saying sorry immediately, or apologising when you think you may have hurt someone, no matter whose fault the incident was, is good for your attitude. Many old people suffer from regret; this practice helps avoid this.
• Catching oneself when falling back on old belief patterns, judgements and values that have not been examined, and then consciously reflecting and researching their validity. This practice challenges old ways of thinking and cultivates qualities that keep you young at heart and mind.

Here are a few quotes to reflect on:

‘’If wrinkles must be written upon our brow, let them not be written upon the heart. The spirit should not grow old.” – James A. Garfield

 “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” – Mark Twain

 “You don’t stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing.” – Michael Pritchard

 Meir Kay, in this video tells a delightful story about the best attitude to ageing, do enjoy it.

Lastly, there is the story of Jackson and Mpho. Each day Jackson, who is 82, starts the day with a laughing session. He goes to the bathroom, leaves the door slightly ajar, and facing the mirror chuckles and laughs at himself; until he hears one of the grandchildren laughing too. His moto is to start the day with joy, and share it. Mpho lies in bed for a few minutes before getting up. She goes into an almost prayerful state as she gives gratitude for her magnificent 83 year old body.

So the overall message of living a good life seems to be to hold an attitude of joyous expectation of the future, and then call on your body to fulfil the expectation!

If you would like further support in developing a positive, excited attitude to your life, you could chat with one of our skilled and professional councilors by calling our helpline to set up a free session  on  08002BWELL (0800229355)