You may be thinking, “Well, that would be nice but I doubt that I can just think my way into living longer.” However, it is reported that over 400 scientific studies have demonstrated the immense power of our beliefs.
Judith Graham, from Kaiser Health writes, “When aging is seen as a negative experience, (characterized by terms such as decrepit, incompetent, dependent, and senile), individuals tend to experience more stress in later life and engage less often in healthy behaviors such as exercise. When views are positive (signaled by words such as wise, alert, accomplished, and creative), people are more likely to be active and resilient and to have a stronger will to live.”
Author Becca Levy points out that people with a more positive view of aging lived 7.5 years longer than those with negative views. She states that our beliefs about aging have more of an impact on our longevity than high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and smoking.
Wow! That raises interesting questions. How do you view aging? Do you believe you need to retire at a certain age? Do you think you should stop doing certain things that you enjoy because you are supposed to “act your age” (whatever that means)? Do you find that people try to fit you into some kind of “senior citizen,” elderly category? Do people think of you as “done” – you’ve lived your life so stay out of the way? All of these messages influence our beliefs about aging.
So, my encouragement to you today is – Rebel! Don’t buy into this warped view of aging. God created you to engage, create, and live life to the fullest until He takes you home. He never meant for us to live part of life and then be put out to pasture where we wait years for our life to just end. He intends for us to live life with, for, and on purpose. So, why not join me in rebelling and living life fully!