Aging & Wisdom

by annemariedemyen, posted in retirement
Mom with Mark, Jen, & Danny

In North America, the general consensus is that being younger is synonymous with being better. We are conditioned to believe that the young have the advantage of being smarter, stronger, more attractive, and all around more capable and valuable than those who are elderly.

I bought into this theory when I was younger. I felt that I was smarter and sharper than my elders. In some ways, I was. I was quick to learn academically. I could read by the time I was three, absorbing the ability by listening to my older siblings doing their homework at the kitchen table. I memorized letters and numbers, poetry and prayers. I stayed at the top of my class, or close to it, throughout my school years. Once I became a mother, I quickly learned that I could multi-task, which I felt was a good sign of higher intellect and a great survival skill. Throughout my working years, I was capable of easily learning whatever was required to do my job competently. I did learn a lot of my knowledge from my elders, but I felt that my younger, quicker mind helped me to utilize that knowledge more efficiently.

Physically, I used to be stronger than I am now. I had the dexterity to perform tasks that I now struggle with (since when did it become such a struggle to do up the zippers on my winter boots?). I possessed the physical strength to shop for groceries, while carrying an infant, dragging a toddler and herding a pre-schooler. I had my own chainsaw and the ability to operate it. (We had a wood stove up north – the ability petered out when we moved back south. I once almost took out our neighbour with an electric knife. Live and learn – one should not cut a frozen ice cream cake with an electric knife. 😔). Even a year ago, my job included physical aspects such as hauling around heavy cartons of files, moving around product for inventory, and helping to load and unload trucks on the loading dock. Tasks that I would definitely struggle with now.

There is something to be said for youthful physical attraction. My babies were adorable and are still an attractive lot. My grandchildren are gorgeous. I was no slouch in my younger days. I had great legs. Total strangers would comment on my legs – in bizarre situations – it was kind of wierd. The thing is, younger people can tend to be dramatic, demanding, noisy, messy and embody any number of traits that are less than attractive. If it wasn’t for the bright smiles, thick hair and nice legs, a lot of them would be lonely.

As far as being overall capable and valuable – I think as a society, we are misguided. I have not been ‘elderly’ for very long. I am sixty-five and have been retired for a few months. These months, I have been slower and less productive than I have ever been. My priorities have changed – so much for the better and (not to brag.. but) I find that I am becoming wiser than ever. I understand things that I have learned and ‘known’ over the course of my lifetime. Even the things that I understood – I understand on a deeper level.

Since growing older, or possibly growing up, I have realized that…

1) Peace of mind is the most important thing in life. There is absolutely nothing that is worth sacrificing one’s peace of mind for. It is when things are at their worst, that we need our peace of mind the most. We are at our best to deal with life (especially the rocky periods) when we have peace of mind… 2) Infinity can only be found within. We can stare at the skies, we can gaze at the mountains and the oceans and the forests, we can look out over acres of prairie grasses and wildflowers, but we cannot comprehend the vast infiniteness of the universe and beyond until we look within ourselves and experience our subconscious minds and souls. 3) Aging is a gift. As we go through life – we live, we learn, we experience joy and grief, pain and pleasure. As seniors, we continue our physical lives, but we have such a precious opportunity to dig deeper. One of my blogging friends, likes to remind us of Wayne Dyer’s famous quote “You are an infinite spiritual being having a temporary human experience.” I always knew I was body, mind and soul. I think I always knew that of the three, the soul was the foundation of my existence. I was just too busy dealing physically and mentally, to live from my spiritual place. Now I am there and I would never go back, I could never go back, to that place where I stumbled and struggled to live my life as an intelligent physical being.

Mom & I
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39 thoughts on “Aging & Wisdom”

  2. Genie looks exactly like Jenn did when she was younger. She came over one day lately and Dan and I were just blown away. She even walks just like her😳. Totally different temperament. And thanks. Lol

    Liked by 1 person

  3. My brother came over to Mom’s and saw a bunch of slides. He was confused, asking when the pics of his daughter had been taken. Mom just laughed and told them they were pics of me!

    Liked by 2 people

  4. Lol. Yea everytime Genie comes over lately, she goes through a big box of pictures I have. She never knows who is who – even when it is her. She makes the same mistake with my brother and my son Mark.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. My mother died when she was just short of 59 and my dad a few months before his 65th b-day. So, yes, aging really is a gift, not everyone gets there. Great pics btw so many wonderful memories encapsulated in an image, no?

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Oh Annmarie I Love this post! I have said that myself, that aging is a gift!! I’m not retired yet but just turned 60 this year and everything you wrote I had to giggle as that is what I’ve always thought about being young and strong! We had the whole world ahead of us but now as I age I’m wiser and smarter. Thank you for sharing, you are a kindred spirit! Love your photos! ❤️ Diana

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Dr Wayne Dyer knew a thing or two about how to thrive while aging.
    I actually feel stronger now than in my 20s. I eat healty, I work out more (and I do it first thing in the morning), and now I am taking cold showers and swimming in the winter.
    I am starting to love aging….

    Liked by 1 person

  20. I am sure you know more about life than you did as a teenager. My granddaughter told me lately that even tho they are taught more about life now days, as teenagers, they still do dumb stuff – they can’t help themselves😂. Genie is sixteen, turning seventeen tomorrow (our Christmas Eve Angel💞).

    Liked by 1 person

  32. Love the picture of you and your mom, Anne Marie. And your post was spot on. Like you, I was guilty of thinking the same way when I was young. But now I know better. The elderly should be valued and revered because they have so much to teach us about life and the world if we’d only listen. Thank you so much for posting.

    Liked by 1 person

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