Reflecting On Age

Age is an interesting thing, particularly in the United States.  This country does not revere its elder population.  In fact, Americans are obsessed with youth and all that that implies.  The media is responsible for much of how we as Americans focus on the young.

We have ads and commercials selling skin cream for aging skin where the models are 18 years old.  We have air brushing on models that are already thin and attractive, but they need to look more "perfect".

If you have a career in the public eye, you will be judged by your aging skin and body especially if you are a female.  Men get away with getting older and out of shape most likely because men are the ones doing the judging in these business's involved in the public eye.  It is definitely a double standard in Hollywood and the entertainment industry.

What has happened is that we have bought this idea that we are not as vital or interesting as we age.  I beg to differ with this.  As you get older and reflect on who you were when you were younger, you come to realize that who you are now has so much more wisdom, experience and understanding of life than you did when you were young.  There is a saying that I heard when I was much younger, "Youth is wasted on the young".  I did not get it when I was younger, but I get it now!

What we need to understand is that aside from our bodies aging, our spirit or our soul that reside in our body is not old.  It is more experienced and aware.  Now having said that I want to also add that not all of us are more aware.  I know many older people that have not "grown" up in wisdom or awareness.  Many people like this are obsessed with holding on to their youth and refuse to accept that they are aging.  It is a process that we can not stop, even with plastic surgery. 

We all age differently depending on our genetics and lifestyle, which includes diet, exercise, stress levels and our environment.  However it is our thoughts and beliefs that really play the biggest role in how we view our aging process.  If you think you are old and believe that it is a negative, you will have that experience.  There are 60 year old's that are not able to stand on one leg because they have not practiced balance or kept a healthy level of fitness.  Then there are 90 year old's that are running in marathons.  It is all in the mind once again.

In 2015 the Census Bureau reported that there are 47.8 million of Americans over the age of 65.  It is estimated that in the year 2060 that number will rise to 98.2 million.  That will be one in four Americans over the age of 65.  That is a huge chunk of the population that would be considered "old" and "useless" if things continue as they are now.

I would like to suggest that we not listen to the media or society's view point in this matter.  I suggest that we decide that we are as vital and worthy of an exciting life at any age.  65 year old's no longer automatically retire unless they want to.   Instead they are starting new careers and new lives and new interests.  I recently saw a video of an 90 year old woman still doing gymnastics.  I read an article on a 100 year old man who wanted to start running and competing in races.  These are people who are not believing that their age is an obstacle.  They are doing what they want without any thought to their "age".

So I would say to you that your age is just a number unless you believe the "crap" fed to us by the media and social media.  Take your age out of the equation when you are thinking about your life course.  It is just another limiting belief to stop you from doing things you would really like to experience.


Now some of you would argue that there are things that can't be done because of age.  Yes I do know of some things that might be totally dependent on youth.  It might be a challenge to be a 90 year old swim suit model.  Probably won't happen, but you never know who will come along and change that.  What 50 looks like today is not what 50 looked like 100 years ago.

Age is what happens everyday that we are alive and breathing.  It is not a barometer of limiting how we live our lives.  That is up to us.  Live your life the way you want no matter your age.

Blessings
Queenie

The Art of Self Talk

We all have mind chatter going on 24/7.  How much of that mind talk is about you?  How much of that is negative?  Most of us would not speak to anyone who said the things to us that we say to ourselves.  Many of us have a regular diatribe of negative self criticism going on in our heads on a daily bases.  We tell ourselves how stupid we are, how ugly we are, how incompetent we are and on and on.  What we tell ourselves is powerful to how we manifest our life.



Much of this self talk has been created from our childhood and our past interactions with others.  We replay these beliefs in the form of mind chatter daily telling our selves things that do not support loving ourselves.  In many ways we are our own worst enemy when it comes to how we speak to ourselves.





The first step in turning this chatter around to a positive conversation is to be aware of how many times a day you are saying negative things to yourself.  Once you realize that you are doing this, you can replace it with a positive thought such as, "I am capable", "I am smart" and  "I am worthy".  Say these things to yourself every day to create a new conversation in your head. 

Our subconsciousness holds all of our old beliefs that do not serve us.  Those are the things that keep creeping into our daily thoughts that we need to re-create.  We can do this by repeating the new positive  thoughts over and over again, just like we did by thinking the limiting thoughts over and over again.  It takes time to do this but is well worth it if you want to change to having a more positive conversation with yourself.  It will change your life for the better if you can.






Our thoughts, beliefs and words are powerful in creating our life.  When you can control you thoughts, beliefs and words in a more positive direction your world will manifest from that.  It is all up to you.  If you no longer want to be a "victim" of yourself, take charge of what you are saying to yourself.  You are the only one in control of this and that is the beauty of it.  You can have whatever conversation you want with yourself.  I suggest it be loving, positive and supportive.




Watch as your life unfolds with more opportunity and success as you learn the "Art of Self Talk".  It is a beautiful thing.

Have a Blessed Day
Queenie

The Power of Perception

"Perceive" is defined in the Dictionary as "to become aware of; through one of the senses, especially through seeing.  To take in through the mind."  Perception is simply the act of perceiving or the ability to perceive.  What is not being said here is that we can "choose" how we perceive what we are seeing or feeling or experiencing.  We are choosing it anyway, unfortunately most of us are doing it unconsciously. 

Two people can be sharing the same experience and come away with two different perceptions of that experience, such as two people taking a hike together.  While one person is pointing out the beauty of the surroundings and the lovely breeze that is blowing in the air, the other is complaining of the wind and how their feet hurt.  Same experience, different perception.

We can always choose to focus on the positives in any situation rather than what could be bothering our experience.  People who tend to perceive things by constantly pointing out the negative are probably people who are not finding the joy in life.  They are focused on what they "perceive" as a problem.  They are missing what could be a good experience.

We can perceive a "failure" as a horrible thing.  Something that might stop us from trying again.  It might take us into feeling not good about ourselves.  Or we can perceive it as a step closer to success, a learning lesson and becoming stronger.  It's all about our perception of it.

 
Perception is another way to see how you are creating your life.  What are your perceptions?  Are they always focused on the negative or are you perceiving life from the glass half full?  See how many times a day you perceive out of a habitual negative thought process.  The beauty of this is you get to choose.  You just need to be conscious of your thoughts each and every moment.  When you begin to think and perceive in the positive direction you will begin to feel better which will allow you to create in a more positive way. 

If you already think and perceive in a positive way, congratulations you are most likely having a happier and more peaceful experience in life.  We can all do this.  It just takes effort and the willingness to change.  The power of perception is about choosing!


Blessings
Queenie