The first line of this month’s feature story, “Ageless Being,” by Kathleen Barnes defines a state of mind we would all do well to embrace. “Agelessness:  Engaging in and experiencing life without fear of falling, failing, or falling apart.” This, in a nutshell, is what we universally strive for at every age and stage.

It’s how a 1-year old experiences first steps and how an elder that’s surpassed 80 trips around in the sun planning for this year’s garden, plays a new game with the grandkids or competes in a dance contest. It’s how our Creator made the world to be: independent yet interdependent, always growing, doing and moving forward regardless of calendars.

The Bible’s book of Genesis documents that historical figures lived to be over 100, 200 or 300 years wise. Of course, they weren’t coping with air pollution and pesticides on their crops, and they daily exercised by walking everywhere; still, they faced other serious challenges of their times.

We need not accept the mindset that says we’re too old to do, say or wear this or that, either. This is my response when my mother admonishes that I’m getting too old to stay up late or only sleep 6 hours a night. Yes, I could use more sleep, but it has little to do with biological age, just as it doesn’t figure into my running distance races or movie choices. No one needs to get sucked into the societal mindset about health challenges, limited mental agility and age-appropriate activities. When people do, we see the unappealing consequences. I prefer to focus on another way of thinking that’s evidenced by role models I see that continue to retain their youth, health, and vitality. This is who I am and how I want to be.

What if, starting today, we could all stop worrying about age as a number and instead, consistently focus on sparking the small nurturing changes that add up to a longer, happier life? Whether it’s adopting a more active lifestyle, cleaning up the quality of our food, eliminating environmental toxins in our home or taking steps to reduce the stressors of a busy life, all of these little things add up to make a major difference. Check out the link to a miniature version of the Real Age test from ShareCare.com/RealAge; you may discover you’re already reducing your “real” age through simple practical actions.

Plus there’s the spiritual stance we choose to take, starting with consistent gratitude for the good we see within and all around us. Linda Joy’s “Choose Happiness,” is, appropriately, this month’s Healing Ways article as real-life people share their proven approach to an ageless mindset. They demonstrate how you too can “rise up out of our troubles to the other side, shining.” As you try out a tip or two, my bet is you’ll feel your mood and circumstances improve.   

As always, we hope you find something in this month’s issue that inspires you to be your best self and take great joy in making a difference in our world.  

Blessings always,

Bernice Butler, Publisher