Aging Well

This MOOC I am taking now poses the question, what does "aging well" mean to me?  I really have to take a moment and consider this question.

Aging well... I believe would mean, retaining good health and stable mental faculties as one ages.

Aging well... being strong in body and mind, for as long as viably possible.  And, once the body has passed its natural ability to remain strong, to age well would mean living not so strong but with a stable and secure peace about oneself.

That's what I get out of the question.  Anyone have different ideas?  Please share in the comments; I'd love to hear other points of view.



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The Jumping-Off Point

It is very sobering to look at graphs of projected life expectancy for the world's population in the years to come.  Length of life for humans is projected to extend farther as time progresses... this is not the sobering part.  The sobering part is seeing that only a very miniscule number of people will live past the age of 110.  We are all going to die.  It's just a question of when.

The thought of death makes me anxious.  Not anxious or afraid of... hell, or punishment... no, I have a sturdy faith that I will lead a pleasant and rewarding afterlife, surrounded by the love of God.

I dread the moment of death.  The moment of drawing my last breath, by whatever means that may come.  I hope I die in my sleep... I almost want to pray that I die in my sleep.  I don't want to be awake and aware when I am pushed over the jumping-off point.  The concept of dy-ING... scares me to death.

Go figure.  Life is beautiful.  Heaven is amazing.  It's the moment of transition that elevates my heart rate and sizzles my nerves.  I need to pray about that, huh...


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Preparing for Aging

I have started taking a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) that addresses our perspectives on aging.  One of the early videos in this class suggests we keep a journal or blog during this course to keep track of our ideas and how those might change.

So you might be hearing from me, from time to time, about my ideas on getting old.

One of the first ideas that was brought up was the idea of what life will be like in the year 2040; in other words, they suggested making a 25-year plan.  I'll admit I hadn't seriously thought that far ahead before.

I am scared of developing Alzheimer's.  That's just me being real.  I am genetically predisposed to Alzheimers and, also, my Neuropsychologist Dr. John Bolter has told me that my 1992 Traumatic Brain Injury puts me on the fast track to a high spot on the Alzheimer's likelihood list.  Nice.  I hope I have someone to take care of me then.

Getting old scares me.  This class ought to bring me a big dose of reality and, hopefully, I will be able to work out a few of my own personal issues so that I have a lot more peace moving forward.

Later.  :)

Picture from:  http://www.alzheimer.ca/en/montreal/We-can-help/Respite%20and%20Stimulation/Art%20Therapy/Art%20Therapy%20workshops