http://www.care2.com/greenliving/loving-longevity.html
Loving Longevity
Adapted from Ageless Body, Timeless Mind, by Deepak Chopra (Harmony Books, 2007).
The great advantage of your second birth—at age 50 and older—is that you can plan ahead. Your first birth was thrown at you, complete with total strangers who turned out to be your parents, an awkward, unformed body that had to be trained to perform the simplest tasks, and a bewildering world of chaotic sights and sounds your brain had to mold into something that made sense.
Fired up by the possibilities of planning a whole new lifetime, I decided to take the opportunity seriously. I set aside all the stereotypes of old age that clutter the mind and approached my second birth with a wish list. What would I want should I live to be 100? Immediately the following desires came to mind:
I want to survive even longer, if possible.
I want to remain healthy.
I want a clear, alert mind.
I want to be active.
I want to have achieved wisdom.
As soon as I wrote down these desires, a surprising thing happened—they all seemed within my reach. I know what to do to be healthy today, and I can live tomorrow the same way. I’ve always been active, so why fear that I’ll sink into a chair one day, never to get up again?
And psychologists are beginning to verify that human development extends into old age through higher states of awareness, that may decline in the brain’s physical structure with age is offset by new mental accomplishments.
With this simple list I had turned survival from a threat into a desirable goal, because on my list were things I truly wanted.
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8 comments
add your comment »I think that is a great philosophy to have. My father is always telling me how his future is over, but mine's just beginning. So I think it's great in theory, and especially for him, because he needs something to encourage him every morning, something to give him hope.
But as for me, I'm twenty-two, in counseling, and I had thought that I was finally moving away from a very long, sixteen years long, of suicidal thoughts. But now even with the counseling, the talking, the sharing my thoughts with others, and even trying to make plans for some sort of future, I'm backsliding right back into those thoughts and feelings. Hopelessness, depression, an utter feeling of emptiness and desertedness. So how can I look forward to the second half of this life when all I really want is to be done with it?
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I turn 50 this year in March, I truly felt this message was being sent to me. I am now going to write that list and I am already excited just thinking of the new life possibilities to come. This has made my day. Mitakuye oyasin (We are all related) thank you Dr. Chopra
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When I was 50 I left a well paying job, excellent benefits and a lot of freedom to work in the HIV epidemic for much less money, far fewer benefits and with a learning curve that would be discouraging for a much younger person. It was the best career move I could have made! My family and friends thought I was having a mid-life crisis, but down deep in that wise woman place I knew this was important. Dr. Chopra and the smart folks on this site already know that age is merely a number and we can begin a new journey at 50, or 60, or 70 as I am doing today.
In love, light and peace
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I love your website; so filled with much-needed wisdom. At 64, I can say that I can do anything I want to at almost anytime, except when working. I love the wisdom that age (not aging) gives to older women. I must project my thoughts and actions to inviting a loving gentleman to share this wonderful life with me.
Namaste,
Mary
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Since i turned fifty my life is new -- from what i do to what i eat to what i think the universe really is. Thanks, Doctor Chopra, for another word of wisdom from what seems an un-ending source.
your devotee in tampa
gary poyssick
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feeling good at 32 with a life ahead of me. not claiming to know what to do with that life, but sure hoping something spectacular! time to start making spectacular plans!
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Beautifully stated and perfectly in line with my thoughts and reflections of today :o)
Sending pure love and light,
Robin
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At 45, I've got five years to think about it! Just kidding--I've been in remake mode since 35. Having a life of one's own is the work of the adult. But beautiful work it is. Never, ever has life been better. Hugs to all, Robin www.BeWhoYouAre.com
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