Growing old vs. getting old.

Growing old vs. getting old

Tim Connor

It doesn’t matter if you are 25 going on 26 or 70 going on 71, every day we are all getting older chronologically, but how we age is more a factor of our mindsets and attitudes than the years that pass quickly by.

Most of my heroes and mentors lived well into their eighties or nineties and were more spry, alert and engaging in their later years than many people are in their youth and middle age.  A few come to mind; Mark Twain, George Burns, Bob Hope, Will Rogers, Og Mandino and Norman Vincent Peale. Each of them left a wonderful legacy that wasn’t really established until their later years or as some would say – Old age.

One of my favorite quotes by Mr. Twain when he was asked by a reporter, “How old are you Mr. Twain?” His response, “My age is none of my business.”  Classic.

I can’t tell you how many people I have met around the world that in their early years acted like they were ready for the grave and how many folks I have met who were in their later years that had the enthusiasm, passion and sense of adventure of someone in their teens.

Why the difference?  Why do so many people let their age determine their actions, behavior and goals?  Why do so many people give up on life as they approach their final years with a senses of apathy, loss of excitement or finality?  Why do so many people fail to realize that every day is a gift regardless of their age?  Questions you might want to ponder regardless of your age (the number).

I have never wanted to be judged by my age both as a teen and someone in their twenties or thirties and especially now as I am heading to my mid seventies.

OK, so what’s the difference between growing old and getting old?  My dear friend and mentor, Charlie Tremendous Jones who passed away a couple of years ago once said to me during one of our quarterly visits where we shared our experience, wisdom and lessons learned, “We are all going to get old but we don’t have to grow old.”  He was a true testimony to living with a vibrant spirit even as his years came to an end due to an illness.

Getting old – the years pass one by one and the older you get the faster they seem to pass.

Growing old – leaving behind the exhilaration, passion, optimism, adventure, excitement and zeal that you once lived in your earlier years.

Let me ask you – is there a certain age where we suddenly put ourselves in the “old” category?  Is 50?  60? 90?  You’ve heard it – 50 is the new 40.  60 is the new 50 and yes 30 is the new 20.  Give me a break, there is nothing wrong with admitting and living each year regardless of how many years you have been here with a relentless sense of gratitude, joy and contentment.

I have met many people who are embarrassed by their age and the physical changes that have taken place with their body as they age.  Millions of people spend billions of dollars every year with a variety of treatments to hang on to their youth (their physical youth) but spend very little time doing what they can to maintain their inner beauty and youth.

Let’s face it, we are all going to be old one day even though depending on your age - you might not be concerned about it or ever think about it, but trust me - some day you will look back and say, “Where did all the years go?”

Youth in my opinion is not an age group but a mindset.  Passion is not only for the young but for each of us to live each day to the fullest regardless of our station in life, career or lack of it or personal situations.

In a former career, I had to visit nursing homes on a regular basis and I have to tell you – nothing saddened my heart more than to see people sitting in wheelchairs along long corridors just waiting to die.

Yes, I know that illness often steals our youthful spirit but I have met numerous people who were given a short time to live and they didn’t let this time restriction or awareness that their time here was coming to a rapid ending have a negative influence on their ability and willingness to live while they were still alive.

How about you?  Letting your age (the number) determine how you feel, think, behave or act?  Or, are you (again regardless of your age) living each moment grasping every ounce of life you can from the life you have left?

“You don’t stop laughing because you grow old;

you grow old because you stop laughing.” 

Michael Pritchard