As you grow older, you might notice your world shifting in ways that feel both exciting and challenging. What if, instead of labeling these changes as simply “good” or “bad,” you saw them as powerful opportunities to grow, expand, and rewrite your story?
When I was younger, I’ll admit—I believed aging meant slowing down, memory lapses, and fading vitality. Sound familiar? That’s what I saw in my grandparents and parents. But then there’s my paternal grandmother—she didn’t just age, she thrived. Out in the wilds of Morristown, AZ, she homesteaded alone.
No electricity, growing her own food, following the sun’s rhythm. She even turned old glass bottles into constellations in the surrounding desert for planes passing over. And get this—she became an artist in her 70s, painting masterpieces that still inspire today.
Now in my early 70s, I choose to focus not on deterioration but on vitality. For 13 years, I’ve woven physical exercise into my daily life—not as a chore, but as a gift to my brain, heart, and soul. Sure, I’ve hit some bumps along the way. For example, I developed a painful leg that once made simply walking tough. But with patience, gentle stretching and bodywork, I’m nearly pain-free and moving more than ever.
And if you’re thinking, “I’m not an exerciser,” trust me, it’s never too late. With your doctor’s guidance, there’s a movement style just waiting to awaken your strength and joy.
So, what about you? When you were younger, what did you think aging would mean for you? And today, looking in the mirror of experience, what do you believe you’re truly capable of? Aging is a state of mind because we become what we believe. What if your best years are still ahead, waiting for you to step into them?
With Joy and Curiosity,
Elaine
Elaine L Stewart, CHC
