“So curiosity, I think, is a really important aspect of staying young or youthful.” – Goldie Hawn
We aspire much, yet achieve little. Why? Our mind is rational and illogical, progressive and regressive, optimistic and pessimistic. Therefore and by nature it is incapable of a unified response. We need to deal with negativity and infuse positivity.
The first negative force is the tendency to create illusions and chase them. Understand the difference between goals and illusions. Goals are anchored in reality, while illusions derive from ego and wishful fantasies. Set up realistic goals, thereby multiplying the likelihood of their achievement. Aspire to be physically fit, emotionally vivacious, forever learning and evolving with age.
A second negative force is the pre-disposition to function in a conditioned manner. By the time we reach young adulthood, certain habits and personality traits have manifested themselves and they stick with us for the rest of our lives. Such habits restrict the range of what we can do and the variety of ways in which we can do them. This creates a comfort zone and defining it is our greatest blunder. It stops the natural ability of rejuvenation and healing which can be brought about by introducing new physical and mental activity. Your youth can be re-inforced by continuous interest in listening to, trying and practising anything different or new.
The third negative force is the tendency to think pessimistically. Life will throw painful experiences. You can decide to respond actively to take up the challenge. Your every thought and emotion sends a message to your immune system and this message can enhance or impair it. Positive emotions will boost the system whereas negativity will harm it. Happy and optimistic people live younger, longer.
Changing your mental attitude is the strongest step to staying young.
Circles In The Sand 