Not long ago I saw an amusing ad on my Facebook page. The ad said something like, “Don’t mess with an old lady who graduated from Aberystwyth University!” Why did I find this so funny? Quite simply because Facebook’s marketing algorithms knew that I had graduated from the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, that I was female, and that I was no longer as young as I used to be! I am of course very aware of marketing strategies as Eldon covers this in his book, Gotcha—but somehow it was funny when it was seen so up close and personal! As this ad gave me a good laugh, I decided to share it with some of my Aber friends. However, I was most surprised to see their responses: “If you took out the word ‘old’ I might be interested,” “Maybe in 10 or 20 years – or never!” and “No—not for me!” So why was my response so different to everyone else? Why wasn’t I offended as well by the ‘old’ adjective that was being used to describe me?
I think I really must be a product of Eldon’s teachings and his InnerTalk programs. You see, to me, old does not mean decrepit, feeble, batty, weak or anything like that. No, old means to me that I have lived, I have loved, I may have lost a time or two but I have certainly learned a lot along the way! My life has been full and vital, and I would not trade the last 25 or so years for anything! Even more importantly, while I may have passed the 50-year mark, I don’t think of my life as being over, or of being too late to do all of those things I dreamed of. Instead I think of all the things I can achieve in the next 50 years, making full use of everything I learned in the first 50.
Role Models
When the calendar changed and we moved into the 21st Century, there were a number of documentaries on television highlighting the last century. One show I enjoyed consisted of a series of interviews with people who were at least 100 years old. I well remember one of the interviewees: She was somewhere between 100 and 104 years old, her back was mostly straight, she still drove herself around, enjoyed her private studies and was fully engaged with life. She became an important part of my personal icon—a complete picture I have in my mind for how I think of myself when I will finally reach that age. Other personalities who have also contributed to my personal icon include:
- Fauja Singh, who started running seriously at 89, went on to run a number of marathons and who broke 8 world records when he was 100;
- The former school secretary, Ernestine Shepherd, who started body building when she was in her 50s and was one of the world’s oldest body builders at age 77;
- Allan Stewart of New South Wales, who completed a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of New England when he was 91;
- J.R.R. Tolkien, who first published his Lord of the Rings when he was 62, and
- Louise Hay, who started Hay House when she was 58!
Build Your Personal Icon
Creating a clear picture of your personal icon will help you achieve the goals of your choice, and when it comes to aging well, the most important belief to have is that old age will be healthy, productive and joyous! Nothing will age you faster than the belief that old age means loss. As such, when I find the pesky negative notions of old age creeping in, I find the most appropriate InnerTalk program to correct this thinking right away. I often use Quantum Younging as a general tune-up, playing it whenever there is not something else I am working on. Not long ago I was using Cognitive Enhancement, when I thought my memory was going. Even I was surprised at how quickly this program worked for me. I also go out of my way to learn new things and to create new experiences. So what can you do to make aging fun, productive and healthy? Perhaps you wish to expand your vocabulary, read more, exercise regularly, or go running again (one of my favorites). All of these are possible with the right mind-set, regardless of the year you were born.
Runner’s Soul
Before I finish this letter, let me just share one final story with you that really highlights the Taylor Family philosophy regarding aging. Last week, Eldon and I took our son into Runner’s Soul (an athletic shoe store) to buy him some new shoes. The owner of the store was there and he started talking about a fund run that was organized by Gonzaga Prep for one of their teachers who was just diagnosed with cancer. He told us there was a great turn out and they raised over $20K. Eldon then asked him if he had run the 5K as well. He replied, “Oh no, I am way too old for that. I leave that to the young ones!”
“What do you mean too old? My wife has us running 10ks and I’m way older than you,” Eldon replied.
“No way,” the store-owner replied. “What year was your graduating class?” When Eldon told him the store-owner gasped. “God! You are older than me!” he exclaimed. He had thought that Eldon was at least 10 years younger than him whereas he is in fact over 10 years older! Eldon certainly looks more energetic, healthy and engaged with life than the store-owner! We all got a kick out of this exchange, but once again it really highlights the fact that your mind set plays a huge part in how well you age.
So what beliefs do you have to change to make the years ahead of you as joyous as those years that many think of as their prime?
Wishing you love, light, and laughter, always!
Ravinder Taylor
P.S. If you enjoy these newsletters, please remember to share them with your friends and family. There are easy share buttons at the top of this newsletter. You can also friend Eldon and Me on Facebook as we both love interacting with you all. You can also read (and subscribe to) Eldon’s regular blog here.
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The Science of InnerTalk
Remember, InnerTalk has been researched at numerous independent universities and institutions (such as Stanford University), and been demonstrated effective at priming how you speak to yourself. When your self-talk changes, so does the reality you experience!
“Quantum Younging is fabulous. I instinctively picked up the sparkly shapes (like confetti) sprinkled for effect on the tables at my brother’s wedding last week and stuck them on my arm and fact. The kids caught on as did all the people on our table. Only difference is, I’m T total and an adult! I also caught myself doing that running and standing on the trolley bit at the supermarket the first month I listened to it!! Thanks again ”
~ R. B.
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