This week the facilitator of my Aging with Grace discussion group said “You are aging gracefully as long as you are asking questions.” At first I was not sure if I could buy into that definition. When I am faced with this type definition, I automatically hear Dr. Dan Gottlieb saying “What would it look like if you were aging gracefully?”
My first thoughts… I would not be in a wheel chair, I would be dressed neatly, people would not be hovering around me helping me do this and that. I would not be in an ugly place.
I went looking for other definitions. “Looking old, but embracing it” – I like the embracing part. “Showing signs of aging, but still powering forward with life.” I like the powering forward idea.
Back to “You are aging gracefully as long as you are asking questions.” After more thought, I interpret this as me asking my doctors and medical support folks questions like “Are there any alternatives to this?” or “What would happen if I did not do this?” or even “what do you think about …….?” Or saying to someone giving me financial advice “That sounds interesting but I am more comfortable with Low Risk or No Risk investments. Do you have any?” Or maybe researching additional info on my own about something I heard on the news, read in a magazine, or came up in a conversation with someone. Google is a great place to ask questions.
In general, my definition is not letting others guide me through life without participating in the decision process. I will use this definition while I keep questioning to see if it still is appropriate for me.
What do you think Aging with Grace looks like?
Written by Bill Abrams
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