lifetime striving to reach the point where they have a sense of control, and then they let it go without as much as a
whimper when they get older. It is time
to stop thinking that you are “over the hill,” “out to pasture,” or “retired”
from life. These are negative words and
they are made by people who think that it time to let others take charge. It is time to focus on the positive
experiences that accompany all of that wisdom you have gleaned. You are in a better position to control your
life now than ever before, but if you don’t speak up for yourself; no one else
will.
Gene D. Cohen, M.D., PhD in
his book “The Mature Mind,” postulates that people are no longer content to
accept the losses associated with aging.
Maintaining a sense of control is something to fight for. We may not always have made the right
decisions in the past, but it wasn’t the end of the end of the world either. People have been making wrong decisions since
the beginning of time and yet, here we are.
People who pursue activities
that give them a sense of control and
mastery are actually healthier than
those who do not. Whether it is
something a simple as picking today’s outfit, taking your pills without a
reminder, or learning a new skill, is all about making decisions and creating a
sense of control.
Learning that you can master
one thing can give you a sense of
empowerment that will extend to other areas of your life. You will soon
find that you feel more confident, are more willing to take risks, and have the
energy to try new things. As your
comfort level increases you become eager to explore new challenges and that is
what keeps you young. Feeling that you
are controlling your own choices and your own destiny can go along way toward
keeping you vital, active and independent.
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