Redefining the aging process

We are often asked how old we are, but it does not define you.

My age is 60. This may show I am now eligible for AARP membership, have two years until I am eligible for Social Security, and may find an occasional discount. However, it does not tell you anything about me.

As a society, we use age as a marker for many things. In the health system, age can give us markers for susceptibility to various illnesses and physiological changes. In government, age identifies specific aid such as access to Social Security or Medicare. However, many of these systems based around our age are “benefits” that acknowledge, good or bad, we have made it this far.

We have developed a bad habit of asking about age often in our personal lives. We have taken on bias regarding age and let it define us, also known as ageism. The stigma of aging puts us into a category. We see movies or shows that depict elder generations in a stereotypical fashion and then have younger generations, because of these stereotypes, who see getting older as a loss of vitality, progressiveness and innovation. Among the aging, many have accepted the chronological bias, but, to that, I give a loud “humbug.”

As Blaine Senior Center director, I could define our center as a place where people go to slip into the abyss of ageism, a place where people go when they can no longer compete in today’s world and need to be coddled. Instead, the center is a center for active living.

I tell people every day that it is “stage, not age.” As a 50-plus individual in our community, do not let your age define you. Look at the amazing stages in life that allow us to continue to grow.

Empower yourself by focusing on the stage you are in and know that with a proactive approach to living at any age, you can become more emotional, intellectual, spiritual and physically stronger. You can define the stage you want to be in.

If we are aware that life can evolve at any age, we can improve as we get older. This is how society begins to make the transition from labeling us as old and embraces us as individuals who can be empowered. Age does not define us – it is simply an obstacle as we continue our quest to live fully and joyfully.

The Blaine Senior Center has structured itself to embrace the adventure of getting older. The center has strength training and fitness classes to feel better and be stronger, as well as programs such as music, art and meditation to continue learning. There are also games to help us laugh and play, but most importantly, we have community.

Giving back as a member helps to embrace gratitude, nurture compassion and allows abundance to take on new meaning. Our number one rule of being kind opens the doors to amazing relationships. Community allows the power of one to take on a new shape with the power of many.

Do not let age define you. Define your age by continuing to get better at every stage of life.

Pete Nelson is executive director of Blaine Senior Center.