3-Word Wisdom 20: Act your age

"We don't stop playing because we get old; we get old because we stop playing!" George Bernard Shaw

Let’s face it. We are a culture of age profilers. Society has carefully marketed a range of socially acceptable behavior and age stereotypes. As parents, we prepared ourselves for the terrible twos, the inquisitive threes, and the social fours. We have been programmed to assume that teens are defiant and twenty-something’s are adventurous. The social expectations of the thirties are marriage and families, and by forty our course has been charted as we lay the groundwork to enjoy the good life in our fifties.

So what are the 60’s supposed to look like? Advertisers portray the decade as an all-out assault on the aging process. We buy sensible shoes. We have stylish disposable undergarment options, and stroll along beaches, remembering the good old days. Our silver hair and wise smiles represent our super adult status, and we receive kind and loving comments of how good we look – for our age – by our young friends. Well, advertisers, I am not drinking your kool-aid! If this is how I am supposed to act, then I am not playing. Yours is NOT my 60’s!

This baby-boomer and her friends are redefining the new and improved sixth decade. Mine includes all of the things I have always loved – “Opera Nights” with Hubby, celebrations with family and friends, and girls’ nights out dressed in strappy sandals and fun dresses. My 60’s will focus on healthy living in order to keep playing – for as long as I want! I have accepted my age, but I refuse give in to the stereotype.

Today’s 3-word wisdom – Act your age. Define each stage in your life by being true to yourself. Take responsibility for your actions and make good choices along your life’s journey. And if you want to play, then play! Treasure your health and enjoy the life you want – not the life you are expected to live.



Playing on the John Muir Trail

Playing on the beach in Maui