Aging is something we all confront, how we approach it is up to us. Are we prepared for our aging? Have we followed up with a medical team? How do we feel about spirituality? Have we planned for ourselves financially? What does growing older mean to us? These are just a few of the questions I want to propose here to help get you thinking about your own aging process and comfort with it.
Let's start with are you prepared for aging? What does this mean to you? Acceptance of the fact that you are growing older, yet managing the process in a way that suits your personality through exercise, cosmetic enhancements, or just acceptance. What role does your level of self esteem play in any of this? Probably some role, but acceptance regardless of enhancements, within limits, only enhance self esteem and can help you feel years younger in the process but do not change self esteem. It is the motivating factor for enhancements that becomes a concern. However if the end result is a happier you, and a more graceful aging process, than so be it.
Getting frequent medical check-ups and clearance before trying risky exercise routines. Establishing a medical baseline helps to understand where you are physically but also prevent any unnecessary risks. understanding cardiac health, etc. It is always good to have your vitals checked, and understand where on the continuum of aging you stand. Depending on the results this may greatly boost your self esteem as well.
Now the big question of spirituality comes next. Even Einstein found it in his heart to believe in some form of omnipotence. So no matter the route you choose, unless your smarter than Einstein find something larger than just yourself to believe in. Whether it's as open ended as Love for all, or a Higher Power it is beyond your mental grasp to figure it out. So we let this nebulous spiritual amalgamation grow and develop in as organic a manner as we can tolerate. Asking questions, that seem to never be answered. Hoping for truth to win out in the end.
Financially is probably the most challenging and difficult one to talk about. It requires sober accounting of where we are fiscally at present, and where we want to be in our Golden Years. Is it possible to get there from here with the large amount of debt we carry? The shallow savings account? Or do we have the opposite situation?
Measuring your debt to income ratio and consulting a banker or financial planner is sound advice. But take a look at where you are first. Try to understand how you got there, and what it will take to get you out of debt if that is the case. Many Americans retire carrying a debt balance into retirement, and with the significant cut in wages, they are unable to pay their debt and their monthly expenses. They simply did not budget for the debt.
So Clean up the debt prior to retirement, find something larger than yourself to believe in, establish a medical baseline and get medical clearance, enjoy your life and your health. Age as gracefully and and comfortably as you can. You will remain happier in your choices when they are thought through and measured with your providers; medical, spiritual, financial and mental health care. As always I hope you found this informative and helpful. Feel free to call for a consultation.
Dr Kevin
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