Aging happens to the best of us.
I think my new, favourite verse is from Psalm 37:25.
“Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread.”
Try as I might, age is creeping up on me. My dad lived to 78, that’s less than 8 years into my future. My mum was 84 when she died of a heart attack. Aging wasn’t easy for them. Dad had multiple mini-strokes which robbed him of hearing and peace of mind. Mum had Rheumatoid arthritis and circulation issues.
When both of them were my age, they were doing well, retired in Florida. Living the life.
So what’s ahead for me?
Or you?
Where do you start to get ready for aging? Here are a few pithy tips. Not all of them are healthy. But hey, you gotta live.
8 Tips To Get Started
1. Embrace it.
2. Keep moving — run, bike, or walk.
3. Choose healthy foods rich in nutrients. And chips.
4. Manage stress — try yoga or keep a journal. Or chips.
5. Learn something new — take a class or join a club.
6. Go to the doctor regularly.
7. Connect with family and friends.
8. Eat chips.
CHAT
The Centre for Healthy Aging Transitions (CHAT) is interested in your personal journey as a maturing adult, and as you grow in your faith and care for others. CHAT Canada facilitates the ongoing conversation around healthy aging – physically, socially, emotionally and spiritually.
The resources found on the website (www.chatcanada.org) can help to reframe the activities and experiences of your life as you transition through the middle/older years of life into a more focused understanding of God’s purposes and calling. Staying actively involved with some type of meaningful work and service is crucial to rediscovering the promises of God for hope and direction in your spiritual journey. 
Resources
Aging Matters, Finding your calling for the rest of your life – R. Paul Stevens
The Six Stages of a Midlife Crisis
The Real Roots of Midlife Crisis – Jonathan Rauch – What a growing body of research reveals about the biology of human happiness—and how to navigate the (temporary) slump in middle age.
Still Bearing Fruit: Growing in Christ in Older Adulthood as We Follow Jesus Together – Cory Seibel
Still Time: The Beautiful Grace of Aging, Community and Friends – Maxine Hancock
The Three Callings of a Christian – A short article by Andy Crouch exploring our three broad callings as Christians.
The first calling is shared with every other human being: to bear the image of God.
The second calling is shared with every other member of the family of God: to restore the image of God.
And third calling is your calling based on your gifts and circumstances.
How are you facing aging? Please join the conversation and post a comment below.
Hope grows here. We share stories that inspire people, build faith, and offer lasting purpose.
We’d love to have you Subscribe to REVwords. We’ll put helpful content into your inbox Mondays and Fridays.
