14 Responses (3 Discussion Threads) to “Aging and Longer-Term Changes in the Self”

1. 

   Laurie

   1

   18th May 2009

   I think you made an excellent point about being open as we age. It’s easy to assume there’s nothing new to learn – or nothing new worth learning. But that’s only because we’ve put limits on ourselves and actively stopped our growth. I’ve found that as I get older, I have to stop and think about what I want to learn, do, or experience next – and there’s so much that I have to make a list which keeps on growing! I also have more confidence in trying new things, which is a great sense of freedom to explore something I haven’t tried before.
   • 

     Evan Hadkins

     1.1

     18th May 2009

     Thanks Laurie, it’s good to hear from someone who is staying open and keeping on learning. Thanks for your comment.
2. 

   Mariana

   2

   21st May 2009

   Beautiful post, Evan! Thanks for sharing so much about your life experience and feelings :)

   I found aging as a strange backwards thing. As a child I sued to have a very “strict” and “organized” life, plague with mandatory routines. Now, in my mid 40′s, I have broken free from routines and relish the pleasure of doing as I please, on a daily basis.

   This is not much an “as I please” in a rotten soiled kid’s way, but in the way of a person who is free from social expectations and can live and respond to life events in a natural or more spontaneous way (not the usual politically correct or expected way.)

   So aging has freed me from formal routines and social expectations and has let me choose to just be myself in a pleasant way.
   • 

     Evan Hadkins

     2.1

     21st May 2009

     Thanks Mariana. I think it was RD Laing (a British psychotherapist) who said, “If I am older, I am also younger”. I like that thought a lot.
     Like you I have founder that getting older has freed me up regarding routines and expectations.
     Thanks for your comment.
3. 

   Marisol

   3

   22nd May 2009

   Today I am celebrating my Mom’s sixty something (she did not want to tell me how many). But while we were out having dinner she said -”you know daughter, I dont feel like sixty…I dont feel I am aging”. I think we all are aging,even my 3 yr old daughter is aging,which is good we are changing. Old wine is always better!
   :)
4. 

   Evan Hadkins

   4

   22nd May 2009

   Thanks Marisol, I agree!
5. 

   Sarah Luczaj

   5

   23rd May 2009

   wow – you wrote a book on the physical in Christianity? Details please!!
   more later -
6. 

   Evan Hadkins

   6

   23rd May 2009

   Hi Sarah, I can send you the text – no illustrations yet, if you like. It went up the body: feet, legs, waist, chest, neck, head then finishing with a bit on the whole body. For each section there was an introduction and a bit about the physical then the psychological and spiritual aspects. There were guided exercises for each part. Eg the feet was about being grounded for the psychological and then pilgrimage for the spiritual.

   Because the guided exercises are often about movement they can be hard to follow without the illustrations.

   If you would like to know more just ask.

   I’m delighted to hear that you are interested.
7. 

   Sarah Luczaj

   7

   23rd May 2009

   very interested. Send away!

   As far as age is concerned – I have trouble with the physical aspects of it – no longer just thinking something and being able to do it – like a gap between me and my body, and no longer looking like I think I do. But mentally – bring it on! Nothing in my experience, but increased awareness – mainly of others – and increased confidence.
8. 

   Evan Hadkins

   8

   23rd May 2009

   Hi Sarah,

   Sport and such was never my thing, but I have noticed physical decline. I think I have got broader in my thinking and less sharp/critical over time. Thanks for your comment.
9. 

   marilisa

   9

   23rd May 2009

   Very insightful post!
   For me, aging is, I believe much different than most people.
   I look deceptively younger than I am- by 10 to even 15 years or so!
   I have a high degree of energy, am successful at what I do (own four businesses) and I hate to say it, but most people even much younger than me can bore me to tears.
   All the time I’m asked, “How old are you?” I say, “I can’t tell you that. Now, I’m an enigma. Enjoy.”
   Visit my post, “You Don’t Have to Have a Mood Disorder to be an Entrepreneur, but it Helps”- as I’d very much like your comments from someone definitely in the “know”.
   entrepreneurchick.blogspot.com
   (I’ll be the only one in the nursing home pushing my walker down the halls and bouncing my head up and down to whatever hip-hop song is on my boom box and thinking, yeah- all these nurses want me. Uh huh.)
   • 

     Evan Hadkins

     9.1

     23rd May 2009

     Thanks Marilisa. It’s good to hear from those who remain young. I’ll check out the post. Thanks for your comment.
10. 

    Sarah

    10

    2nd June 2009

    Ya, agreed! there are many things, one do not notice in teen age!
    and , to me, you can extend your teen age to older by proper dietary!

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