When you think of aging, what comes to your mind? Does the term midlife worry you? Do you think about the loss of abilities, agility, and usefulness? Do you picture a body ravaged by time and a mind that is so forgetful I can barely function? That doesn’t paint a very pretty picture does it? And yet, that’s exactly the concept many people have about the aging process.
Why do they have such a pessimistic view of getting older? Well, sad to say there are a lot of living examples that fit that description. So naturally, that tends to be the picture people carry around in their minds. Okay, remind me, what do we call it when people carry around a mental image of something? Don’t we call that visualization?
Are you visualizing “older” in a negative way?
So, if you spend the 20 years between age 40 and 60 visualizing yourself getting old and decrepit, how is that going to influence your reality? I’ve seen this a lot, and I’ve seen the effect it has on people. And I’m telling you, you don’t need to go there.
I believe that most of the negative side effects people associate with the aging process can be minimized, or avoided completely. At the very least, they can be postponed for a very long time.
Redefining the aging process
In this video I am going to ask you to consider rejecting the popular concept of aging altogether, and to consider a completely different scenario. This is a subject that should interest everyone. Why? Because your approach to the aging process will determine how you experience it.
I invite you to be open to the idea of completely changing your view of the future as it relates to aging. Doing so will allow you to see a vast world of wonderful possibilities ahead. As you are about to learn, aging is nothing more than the ultimate personal development quest.
Jonathan Wells Talks About a New Concept of Aging
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Jonathan. Aging for me allows me to climb up the quest of strength. I practice Olympic Style weightlifting and we only have so much strength that allows us to perform max lifts. That strength is lost with aging. However, it’s through repetitive and continuous lifting that we get stronger. I’ve gotten stronger as a result of years of training. More importantly, I’m lifting weight I once thought impossible but that took years of training. Being able to lift impossible weight has opened new possibilities i never knew i had. If that is aging, then I’m enjoying the ride.
.-= El Capitan´s last amazing blog post .. =-.
I think it’s a fantastic idea to challenge ourselves to reach new goals as we get older. Strength training is definitely not for everyone, but I did work with a 67 year old record holder in the deadlift. Amazingly, he had suffered with low back pain for many years before he began lifting in his 50′s.
Just for clarity, I am NOT recommending this approach. It worked for him, but things could have easily gone the other way. Truth is, you are only as strong as those little fluid filled disks between your vertebra. Don’t smash them!
Hello Jonathan,
I am speechless after hearing your lecture on this video. Definitely, your concept on aging is a very intriguing. Thought many times how do I see my self in this new stage of life… The time I am spending on recovery, self-care, interacting with people, blogging, and taking care of my life independently. I do not think of me as to give up on life. It is such a wonderful time right now. I have to achieve some goals this coming spring and summer. Those goals are, walking every day about two miles, drive to the park to relax in a Nature at least two times a week…And maybe loose a few pounds, winters here are long and I had rather sedentary lifestyle after my injured knee falling on ice.
The most important think to keep my mind busy with creative writing. I found that writing makes my mind sharper. Therefore, those are my goals to stop aging.
Thank you Jonathan for the great presentation will be looking forward to the next one.
Best wishes,
From Zuzanna
.-= ZuzannaM´s last amazing blog post ..TALL MOUNTAIN =-.
Hi Zuzanna, your example of your mind getting sharper with use applies to our entire being. Is the old “use it or lose it” syndrome. So glad you enjoyed this video. It’s my first one and it happened on a whim. I just turned on the camcorder and started talking. Will try to make the next one much shorter.
Jonathan , great content in the video, especially when you said you believe that ‘our minds have the ability to connect with our DNA’ . There are so many things you said here that I connected with.
Aging, for me, really is in the mind, just like you said and I still feel as if I am in my twenties.
.-= Steven Aitchison´s last amazing blog post ..The Night I Gave Up On Life =-.
Hi Steve, there is a part of us that absolutely does not relate to aging in a negative way. It’s that inner person that is always curious and ready to learn and experience new things. When we add all the wisdom, skills, and lessons we have learned from our living experience to that “forever young” inner self, we become truly empowered to really live.
Jonathan,
This is a beautiful way of looking at aging and the aging process.
Not too long ago I was thinking about this concept from a soul stand point. From the biological and chronological age…and how it is indeed in our minds …but also in our heart and soul. Our heart and soul doesnt really age…it just becomes wise…..and hence more the wisdom you gain….your heart and soul becomes wiser.
And if you totally and completely believe this… your body’s age clock (physical and mental)can go back about 10 to 15 years even more. And all in the span of One week. Its belief that makes it or breaks it….
psst…I dont see any wrinkles in that video..hmmm…I think youre getting younger and younger hmm…;)
Loved this video….great work.
Much Love,
Z~
Hi Zeenat, I think that our accumulated wisdom can offset most of the side effects of getting older. For one thing, we learn how to take better care of our bodies, minds, and emotions. Making wise decisions in these areas pays huge dividends.
I agree completely that what we believe is what we will create. We can’t stop the clock, but we can influence how we respond to the passage of time.
About those wrinkles, trust me, I’ve got my share. Once I figure out how to make better videos that will become obvious. I’m okay with that, I earned them all.
Jonathan, from bears to bare-chested 83-year-old men, quite a leap, but a very welcome one, into your new topic and vision. I look forward to aging as part of my life process of deepening into myself in many ways. I believe we can do transformational energy work at the cellular level that can keep our creativity and spirituality and physical energy flowing in ways that allow us to age powerfully.
And I just personally know so many powerful people in their 80s and 90s. Are you aware that there are now more than 40,000 people in Japan over the age of 100? And that by the year 2050 there are likely to be more than one million Japanese over the age of 100? If we subscribe to the limiting idea of aging as a loss and diminishment of what we once were, how do we face our future?
Aging is the phase of our journey where we can call upon the resources and wisdom that we have spent years developing, and channel them in ways that give new richness and meaning to how we express our lives. I had a Chinese fencing teacher who said that anyone can start fencing, at any age, and he had an 83-year-old student who leapt around like someone 40 years younger. Several Japanese people I have met, however, announced without any doubt that it’s all over when you’re 50!
Well, I could go on and on about the continuous creation of brain synapses, but I’ll end now by saying that the mind and intention really do make all the difference as a starting point for how we age. I look forward to hearing your next thoughts. Warm wishes from the mountains in Japan – Catrien Ross.
.-= Catrien Ross´s last amazing blog post ..Catrien Ross on Blasting Mount Fuji to Bits – Does Live-Fire Artillery Count As a Spiritual Distraction? =-.
Hi Catrien, those are some impressive statistics about centenarians in Japan. It may have changed recently, but their culture seems to honor the wise elders in a way that is almost unheard of in the west. Growing up around such an attitude would change a persons perception and emotional anchors with regard to getting older.
The field of neuroscience is making some amazing discoveries about the brain. Many of these are dispelling conventional wisdom about what our brains are capable of as we age. Science is finally catching up with what optimistic human potential enthusiasts have believed for decades. I love it when that happens!
Catrien, I’m glad to see the mention of synapses by someone. My own studies of aging are all from studies of the brain and how brain stems really define the act of aging yet most people don’t truly know how to exercise them and grow them in latter years in life. We all have the ideas of healthy active lifestyles but most people don’t go so far as to look at WHY living that way makes a difference in aging. That is the kind of study I like and have read much on about aging. Am certainly interested in this series as well Jonathan. I like to think of aging not as aging, but as growing younger. I too have a great aging goal and so far at 32 years of experience am living up to it. Each year I will be smarter, stronger, faster and in better health, mentally and physically than the previous year.
.-= Mike King´s last amazing blog post ..Bring On the Passion! =-.
Hi Mike, I would love to have you share your conclusions from your research with us. Maybe we can work something out.
I think one of the keys is to realize that there is a power shift that occurs as we get older. We don’t lose our power, but the balance of how it is expressed changes. As we gain experience and wisdom we figure out how to channel our energy to maintain, and even improve, our physical side.
For example: I don’t train the same way I did when I was in my 30′s. The main difference is that I budget my efforts to get the maximum benefit with a measured amount of energy expenditure. I also avoid spinal compression.
This just means I train smarter with a more balanced approach. I still expect and get great results, that hasn’t changed.
Mentally, I train harder than I ever have. I have become increasingly more passionate about learning as the years go by. As a result I find life exciting, like a mesmerizing adventure that keeps me in a constant state of awe.
Wow, that picture of Bob Delmonteque is really inspirational. Goes two prove a lot of our believes about aging are crap. Getting older, yes. Significantly loosing health, passion, energy… I don’t think so.
PS: Changed my blog name, as you can see
I agree Eduard, we always have a choice. I realize that not everyone can age like Bob has, but that’s not really the point. He proves that we have the power to radically influence the process.
Bob represents the image I like to keep in my mind as a target (physically anyway) for my 80′s. I figure this is a lot more constructive vision than a nursing home and bed pan. Don’t you agree?
The video is awesome, Jonathan. You’re so right that it all starts in our minds. Thanks for reminding me to rethink the mental image that I have about aging–before I manifest a future that isn’t aligned with what I truly desire. Great love to you for this one.
.-= Nea | Self Improvement Saga´s last amazing blog post ..3 Simple Positive Thinking Techniques You’ll Love for Tough Times =-.
Thanks Nea, it was a real spur of the moment thing. I just sat down and started in. It felt great and I’m so pleased you liked it.
Jonathan, it was great to see you on video!! It does all starts here – in our mind. Thank you for this message and reminder! I am looking forward to more videos.
.-= Lana – {Daring Clarity}´s last amazing blog post ..One Of The Most Powerful Questions That Can Change Your Life =-.
Hi Lana, I remember 30 some years ago a really wise person told me that the best diet in the world is in your head. I have pondered that a lot over the years, as you can tell. Thanks for your kind words.
Hi Jonathan, I really enjoyed your video. This has to be one of the very best blog articles you have done. I’m looking forward with anticipation to your future updates!
.-= Stephen – Rat Race Trap´s last amazing blog post ..The Sunk Cost Bias Mind Trap =-.
Hey Stephen, It seems to me that you have been growing younger in many ways over the last couple of years. Would you agree with that?
Hey Jonathan I agree. I watched your video and I’m convinced that you are confidently getting younger. So you don’t have to prove it to me. Just bring on the methods and I’ll do them.. I’m taking 2 medications at 59 that I’d love to stop taking.
.-= Tom Volkar / Delightful Work´s last amazing blog post ..Authentic Inspiration Zaps Procrastination =-.
Thanks for your confidence Tom, we are going to have a lot of fun with this one. What meds are you on? If you don’t want to say just use the contact page to send me an email.
Hi Jonathan,
I don’t think it would be much of a surprise for you to hear me say that I’m a huge fan of this topic. I was not aware of Bob Delmonteque and will definitely be checking out some of his books. I plan on being full of life at 84 just has he seems to be, and it’s not just something I say. I go out of my way to make choices each day that I believe will contribute to my wellbeing now and in the future.
There’s a lot of uncertainty in life and we don’t have full control of how we age, but there’s certainly a whole lot we can do mentally and physically to age as well as possible. As you pointed out, it’s even possible to pursue becoming better than ever in our old age rather than simply trying to not lose ground.
I think this topic will be a great addition to your site. Good luck with your coaching program, I think there are a lot of people out there who desperately need it!
.-= Vin – NaturalBias´s last amazing blog post ..The Frightening Uncertainty of Genetically Modified Foods =-.
Hi Vin, I think your view of this whole subject is very balanced and realistic. Especially the part about making decisions each day will contribute to my well-being now and in the future. That’s really the key.
As you said, there are things we can’t control. but that list is much smaller than most people think. What’s important is to work on the things we can control and not wait until it’s too late to turn the course in our favor.
You do really good work Vin and I have no doubt that you will help redefine what it means to age.
Aging is something that is bound to happen. Its better to just embrace it and enjoy while you have it.
Yes, it is bound to happen, but that’s not really the issue. Quality of life, mobility, mental acuity, energy levels, and independence are what’s at stake here. Those are all things that we have some degree of control over. I embrace the aging process but don’t plan to do so from a nursing home before my 100th birthday.
Hi Jonathan!
Just watched your video on the new concept of aging. It is truly inspiring to me especially at this point in my life. I am just recovering from 11 years of hell literally not being able to walk or get out of bed etc. due to severe pain. Over the past 4 months I have regained my ability to get out of bed every day and out of the house! I was very athletic and have set 3 goals: to bike 30 miles per day by the end of this year, write a book over the next year, and quit smoking over the next week. I never wanted to act or look old ever since I could remember. I believe I can achieve the level of fitness I once had before I was disabled. Your video is right on!
Hi Lucy, I am so sorry you had to go through such a challenging situation and I feel truly inspired by your resolve to turn things around. Please keep me posted on your progress.