The Power of Positive Aging

More than ever before, we are living longer, healthier, and more productive lifestyles. The achievements in both health care and technology in the last fifty years has contributed greatly to our increased lifespan. People nowadays are spending more time and money on ways to improve how they look and feel. Unfortunately, the fact still remains that from a medical perspective the term "aging" has a much greater connotation than positive.

When we think about getting older, the first thing that comes to mind is "gray hair, wrinkled skin, memory loss, weakness, frailty, and an overall loss of independence". True or false? From what I have experienced in the past number of years is this. There is a strong correlation between a person's attitude and his or her ability. A positive mental attitude and a purpose or reason for living can actually make a person look and feel younger.

"From a medical point of view, negative thinking suppresses
the immune system, raises the blood pressure, and creates
a general level of stress and fatigue in the body. In short,
infections, cardiovascular irregularities, the degeneration
of muscle, and the random growth of unwanted cells gets more
opportunity."

Peter McWilliams

Let's consider the title of this article, "The Power of Positive Aging". The words "power" and "positive" do not equate to such terms as "frail", "weakness", or "an overall loss of independence". So, in the process of writing this article, I have created a simple idea called "The Three P's of Life". The motive of this principle is to live life with a "Plan", a "Purpose", and with "Passion".

In Asian philosophy, they discuss and use the concepts of the five natural elements in their way of life ("wood, fire, water, metal, and earth"). Abraham Maslow has his "Hierarchy of Human Needs". As individuals, we strive to succeed using our five basic fundamentals: physical, mental, social, spiritual, and financial. Everything we do in life can fall under each one of these categories. I will explain below in greater detail how this can be achieved.
PLAN

Physical

- beginning a new exercise program
- reading additional literature to gain a better insight on training
- joining a fitness club
- changing your eating habits
- making an appointment to see your doctor and nutritionist and let
them know what you're planning

Mental

• changing your attitude from pessimistic to optimistic
• setting goals daily that will aid in improving your disposition
• reading materials on self-improvement

Social

• make a point of going out more socially ("with regularity") - join different social groups
• travel someplace different on your next vacation
• get in touch with some old friends

Spiritual

• having a belief in something or someone
• read motivational and inspirational stories
• establish a faith ("it could be anything")

Financial

• open up another bank account
• do some investing
• maybe start a part-time business

PURPOSE

Physical

• wanting to lose some weight
• put on some lean muscle
• get healthy
• look and feel better

Mental

• an attitude change ("negative to positive") - feeling better mentally
• reducing stress

Social

• meeting some new people
• networking for personal and professional reasons
• beginning new relationships

Spiritual

• a good internal feeling
• putting balance into your life
• helping other people
• your own emotional needs

Financial

• extra residual income
• the opportunities to travel ("business or pleasure") - financial freedom

PASSION

Physical

• some amazing new results ("body transformations") - motivating others to do the same thing
• becoming a mentor because it has become your "passion"

Mental

• very easy now to overcome obstacles
• a stronger and more positive disposition
• focused, driven, and more goal-oriented

Social

• becoming more charismatic ("confidence in a social setting") - additional networking

Spiritual

• a deeper feeling of self-worth
• strong spiritual growth
• an internal bond with yourself

Financial

• becoming financially savvy
• good investment tips for family and friends based on your success
• financial independence

So this just gives you a general idea on how you can put your life into perspective based on your own thinking. Any of these points can be changed accordingly. The whole point I'm trying to get across here is that if you live a life with purpose and a plan; passion will soon follow. Life doesn't end at 50, 60, 70, or even 80; it stops when you tell it to. I firmly believe that you are the master of your destiny and you will become exactly what you think. The power of positive aging is within each one of us