Aging is inevitable for those fortunate enough to experience it. Thinking about the alternative – premature death – highlights that the “anti-aging” versus “pro-aging” debate overlooks the essential aspect.
Regardless of our efforts to appear youthful, time catches up with us, and mortality eventually comes. Accepting this reality was difficult for me, as it might be for you, until I realized the true essence: vitality.
Vitality embodies an energy of involvement, gratitude, and liveliness. It is a harmonious balance of pleasure, purpose, and significance.
Without the richness of delight and gratification, our lives become dry and barren. Without a sense of purpose and contribution, our existence feels lackluster and adrift. Without a framework of meaning, our lives can appear empty, leading to despair and hopelessness.
When we are brimming with pleasure, fulfilled by our endeavors and contributions, and immersed in a daily sense of meaning, we experience a vibrant, responsive awareness – a kind of soulful strength.
Our skin, body, and hair serve as the vessel that houses our spirits and souls. Caring for this vessel is fundamental to nurturing and supporting vitality. It is an ongoing responsibility and privilege to diligently maintain, enhance, and nourish the vessel we have been granted for this lifetime. Some individuals have the time and resources to utilize nutrients, cosmetics, supplements, exercise, and procedures that contribute to the well-being of both their inner and outer selves. Yet, I have witnessed many who embrace these enhancements without losing sight of the greater picture and the natural process of aging.
On the contrary, I have encountered individuals with seemingly flawless bodies, skin, and hair, garnering countless compliments for their age-defying appearance. However, in private conversations, they express feelings of being lost, irrelevant, unfulfilled, and even depressed. Their singular obsession with preserving their youthful exterior has led them to neglect the essential components of vitality. Beneath their pristine façade, they harbor a true void in their souls.
Rather than merely admiring someone’s youthful appearance, it becomes more meaningful to inquire: How vibrant and alive do they appear? Aliveness manifests as a radiance in their eyes and an ability to openly express profound and vulnerable emotions. It shows in their genuine laughter, unabashed tears, and their willingness to wholeheartedly engage without seeking approval or validation.
The most alive individuals I’ve encountered:
Seek opportunities to make a positive impact and walk the talk.
Embrace a continuous journey of learning and listening to others.
Demonstrate astounding generosity and openness.
Laugh and cry with equal intensity, celebrating life’s highs and acknowledging its lows.
Share a profound connection to the divine or a higher purpose.
Embrace authenticity, even if it means facing unpopularity.
This profound aliveness is what I refer to as “soul fitness,” a state unrelated to looking younger than our years. Soul fitness emerges through a steadfast commitment to and consistent practice of the above measures of aliveness.
Remembering that our time here is fleeting, we are called to embrace soul fitness as a sacred endeavor. Rather than focusing on a brief moment in the spotlight, we prepare for the ultimate conversation as we approach life’s final phase. Discussing death in a positive manner, let’s call it “death positivity,” need not be morbid or gloomy. Instead, imagine meditating each day on the possibility that it might be your last, allowing this awareness to lead you to love and live each day to its fullest.
By liberating ourselves from societal notions around aging, which often include feelings of obsolescence, unviability, and unwelcomeness, we can view the journey from innocence (youth) to ambition (reproductive years) to wisdom (third chapter) as a magnificent symphony. Each movement is a complete and vital part of a breathtaking unity. Growing older becomes an honorable process of nurturing deeper roots and experiencing fuller blooms.
By shifting the discourse from “anti-aging” to a focus on vitality and wisdom, we ignite a positive influence on the upcoming generations of elders. By prioritizing our vitality regardless of age, we set an example for the young, demonstrating that growth knows no limits. We show them that pleasure, purpose, and meaning are attainable even in life’s later stages and that aging is not a misstep or shortcoming but rather an invitation to embrace life more fully.
No products in the cart. 