When I was in my teens, I was the one who “looked older” and at thirteen I could pass for eighteen. Yes, I thought this was pretty awesome, but it kept my dad in a constant state of panic, using the phrase, “Get back in your room and wipe that junk off your face.” He was talking about my Maybelline blue eye shadow and far too much eye liner. I liked the attention and thought looking older was a badge of honor. He thought it was a dangerous thing and tried to protect me at all costs, letting me know I was still his little girl and not too big to get sent to my room.
NOT FOUND: baby boomers.jpgAs time passed, I never really struggled with turning a year older and while I would like to continue to look youthful, I haven’t let age become an enormous bother to me. Thirty, forty, even fifty didn’t stress me out– at least not too much. But this year I had a situation that knocked some of the wind out of me. I will be 55 this year, but not until the end of the year (December 15th if you’ve got your calendar handy). It’s funny, because on the inside I feel about 28….maybe 32.
Anyway, I was at the checkout stand in my local store that offers discounts on Tuesdays, when the young little girl behind the counter asked, “Do you qualify for our senior discount?” WHAT???!! “Don’t rush me,” I snarled, with eyes bugging out and steam coming from my ears. What kind of customer service is that? Listen, honey – when I turn 55, you’ll KNOW it. I am going to request my discount and be very eager to receive it – without any help from you, thank you very much.
What are they teaching them with regards to customer service and human relations these days? “If anyone has more wrinkles than you and their gray roots are showing a bit, ask them if they qualify for our discount?” That does not fall under the category of “How to win friends and influence people.” I think she was auditioning for a role in the sequel to “Mean Girls”, called “Be Mean to Older Women, Girls.” Let’s try a little tact, sweetie. How about, “You might want to tell your older sister or your mom that we have a discount for those 55 and older.” I would have smiled, thought she was very sweet and moved on. But no….. I was scarred by this insensitive blow to my ego. I felt like I should now go look for some sensible shoes and buy a housecoat, some curlers and a rocker. I am no longer at the place where I think it’s cool to look older. When you’re thirteen, it’s okay. When you’re 54, it’s not so okay. (That’s 54 – not 55. Not old enough for discounts, yet)
Well, time has passed and I think I am sufficiently cooled off from the crushing episode. People don’t realize how much their words impact others. Our words can hurt. All the more reason I want to get down to what I really want to talk to you about. May is Senior Fitness Month and as I was thinking about what to write, I realize how many areas that really encompasses:
We need to be mentally, emotionally, spiritually, financially, relationally and, of course, physically fit.
Aging is about more than getting discounts on Tuesdays. Although discounts are an added perk to the golden years, there is so much more to life. I sometimes think we forget to look at the positivity of aging. I am going to share some info and some insight into each of these areas each month, to encourage, enlighten and empower you to make your latter years better than your earlier years. All of you will be there someday, and preparing for it in the aforementioned areas of your life will make the journey a delightful and memorable experience.
The first topic I want to approach is possibility thinking. Make a determination right now that it IS possible to live a happy, healthy and richly rewarding life, no matter what your age and situation. Yes, it has to do with your attitude, but it also has many other factors that are going to come into play, and we will address them, tackle them and conquer anything standing in our way to achieve an exhilarating success. You on board? It’s going to be a great ride, so buckle up. You can write or call the North Sac News to share any of your possibility thinking with me – stories, testimonies – anything that will encourage the readers about how it is possible to accomplish absolutely anything you set your mind to. I’m looking forward to it.