Are you Anti-Aging? Be Content with What Is not What Was. By Dr. Toni LaMotta
Our world is obsessed with youth and beauty. We are bombarded daily with ANTI-aging techniques and products. No wonder so many people fear growing older. Frankly, IÛªd rather not be ANTI anything but be FOR AgingÛ_in a healthy and conscious fashion.
How would our world change if all of us began to see the aging process as a means of spiritual growth?
A few years ago I spent about three months in a hospital and nursing home.åÊ I noticed that I wasnÛªt asking, why is this happening to me? I wasnÛªt feeling like a victim. I wasnÛªt even asking what did I do to cause this?åÊ as I might have several years previously. But, I found myself asking the question – What does my soul want here? What can I learn from this experience?åÊ What GIFT can I find here? And I noticed that I began to see the aging process in a whole new way. Deep awakening was happening as I let myself just ÛÏaccept what isÛ.
The lesson was reinforced while visiting a dear friend 104 years young. She told me that she decided a while ago that it made no sense to complain because her life had gotten smaller. (She had two rooms, which she seldom left in an assisted living facility.) because if she were to be filled with complaints, she wouldnÛªt be happy and she said boldly, ÛÏIÛªd rather be happy.Û
ÛÏPerhaps there are things I should be doingÛ, she said.åÊ ÛÏSometimes I find myself wishing I could go back to Sweden where I was bornÛ_ but I know I will not be traveling anymoreÛ_so rather than wish I were doing what I can no longer do, I have learned to be SATISFIED with the fact that I HAVE done so muchÛ (she and her husband were both pilots ÛÒ so they traveled a great deal.)
I truly believe that the secret to her long life and happiness ÛÒ besides having a bourbon and water each night! ÛÒ was the fact that she was CONTENT WITH WHAT IS.
IÛªm not saying not to have wonderful memories. But I have noticed that the unhappiest older people I know are those who long to be as they once were, rather than as they are now.åÊ Those who compare themselves with the way they were 20 years ago are engaging in an exercise certain to keep them in an unhappy state. One of the spiritual tasks of aging is learning to live without regret and striving to be happy with who and what we are right now
Dr. Toni LaMotta is a keynote speaker, best-selling author of ÛÏWhat You REALLY Want, Wants YouÛ and spiritual teacher supporting people in consciously embracing the process of aging. åÊShe also helps coaches & speakers create, publish and market their books. http://www.tonilamotta.com