Is Age Just A Number?

Is age just a number? Really?

Yesterday morning I saw a news segment in which these guys had a book out about men turning 40.

In one sentence the author says that life really is all downhill after 40 and in the next sentence he says that men need to redefine what makes them happy once they turn 40.

You know what I got out of that? That he’s basically saying that you need to brainwash yourself into thinking that the things that mattered to you when you were young and vital are no longer possible because you’re getting old, fat, bald and don’t fit into that prized demographic of young people with disposable income so prepare yourself for the slippery slope leading to death.

The last two years have been two of the most creatively satisfying years of my life but the effects of aging do happen to be taking hold.

Guess I better keep trying to grow creatively to offset the horrible effects of a body in decline.

What are your thoughts folks over 40? Did you have to reprogram yourself to accept the limitations of your physical being once you saw the decline set in? Did you find other things that made you feel relevant and happy personally?

http://www.goodmorninggloucester.com

16 thoughts on “Is Age Just A Number?

  1. I happen to be in better shape after 40 than I was before 40. I think age *is* just a number. What about those 70- and 80-year-olds who finish Ironman triathlons?

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  2. HAHAHAHA !!! Thanks to my favorite “Brother”, I needed that 41st Birthday laugh. To answere your question I believe mind over matter., just wish I could remember to remind my body to believe it too. Keep the crative juices flowing it’s the best medicine !!

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  3. I’m glad your still thinking he is your favorite brother. I remember turning 40, you and Joey were in college. I started tennis, played team tennis at the Mac. My 40’s and 50’s were the best. Not talking about the 60 yet. What you don’t know won’t hurt you. But your right it is mind over matter wish my body would get in sink with the mind though. Being creative is the BEST!

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  4. Ignore age. It’s only as limiting as you allow it to be and keep busy so you don’t have too much time to whine and complain about it.

    I knew a 75 year old man who taught speed skating to youngsters and biked 100 miles a week. Tough as nails and as healthy as an ox. His full-time job was outdoor work too. Another woman who is preserving rivers and guiding foreign trekking tours at nearly 80. Kick ass!

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  5. . . . and both of them are local. They really don’t spend a lot of time on negativity in general. In fact they not only avoid negativity, but negative people.

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  6. I didn’t get that memo..And if I did I would most likely say you dont know me while whipping it out. My tongue that is.. I know men well into their 70’s still doing relevant things with life…Every moment regardless of age is a gift. If you choose to wallow in your past life experiences you miss the current. Make the most of you’re seasons as I’m still in summer at 41….I find myself bucking the norm but thats just me swimming along…Thanks to above for being this fortunate as always.

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  7. Well , all that mind over matter stuff sounds real good ( but ) those 70 – 80 year olds doing unreal stuff now I am sure did not abuse their body with wild partying and being a commercial fisherman all their lives. as for me , I remember at 25 – 27 – 29 , I was riding dirt bikes and fall off alot and the next day be fine as kind , now at 49 years old and when I fall (or get thrown ) off my horse I am bent over and hurting for a few day’s after. that’s my bodys reaction , now my mind on the other hand is still 18 years old and think I can still do it all still. “BUT” The fact is come morning I can only speak for myself but I sure as hell feel my age.

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    1. I’m with you bro. I don’t think those people abused their bodies the way we have for years.

      It’s one thing to live a life of 9-5 with weekends off being able to tale care of yourself. It’s quite another to be sleep deprived and busting ass for 12-15 hours a day for months straight.

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  8. I think women would have looked at that article differently. Since a lot of women still have children at home.And tons of responsibilities that make them feel they are already rolling down hill at 100 sometimes, instead of at 40. When I turned 40,my precious dad,whose advice I dearly miss, said to me,”Sweetheart,once you turn 40,life goes by so fast,you won’t believe it.”. And I found it was true. But then I became ill with 2 terminal illnesses I am still living with,but not letting bog me down.To me ,age is a gift from God. Every birthday,is a blessing. Think of family and friends who have had their lives cut short by reasons beyond our comprehension. So life isn’t going down hill at 40. Life is hitting 40,and thanking God for getting there. And then singing every single day,for the blessing of become a year older. Happy belated New Year everyone. Linda

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  9. A healthy attitude is the first and most important part of hitting those numbers –
    Good diet and exercise follow.
    Live, Laugh Love as if it’s your last day!

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  10. Opening up the discussion about age is great! Kudos Joey! Must be good to know that you’re not alone w/your thoughts on the changes that take place. I’m two years away f/40, but I do think about it a lot. I didn’t read the article, but, is it geared towards men?

    I think staying fit is totally important. Healthy body, healthy mind. Plus, all those endorphins being released, HAS to be a good thing! That, and creative outlets! And trying new things, all the time! I think those things are huge in staying focused on the good things!

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  11. I’ve always said turning 50 was the best thing I ever did. Sure there are changes but they’ve been more than compensated for by attitude changes I wish I’d been able to make decades before.

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  12. Isn’t it ironic….

    What do think this Joe would have thought of this “Turning 40” query?

    http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100112/NEWS90/100119929/-1/NEWS

    Personally, I have been struggling with this dilemma for the past three years.

    I’m beginning to realize that it’s going to be a moot point, because by the time I might be able to make some sense of my post-40-place-in-the-Universe, I will likely be facing 50, and wondering where my 40’s went!

    It’s weird scene.

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