Northern Michigan Woman - Jan/Feb 2024 Fitness Issue
Jumping Into Graceful Aging
Carol Saxton 2023-12-22 05:50:29
It’s hard to believe that I am 67 years old and have become a senior citizen. When did this happen? Life goes by so quickly.
I recently retired from Munson Medical Center after 17 years and thought I would like to do something daring to usher in my retirement. I decided since I have a fear of heights and flying that I would get in a small plane, go two miles up above the ground and then jump out. What in the world was I thinking?
I was 65 years old, not as mentally sharp as I used to be and had a hip replacement a few months before my jump. I guess I thought it would help me conquer my fears. Guess what? It didn’t.
However, I did feel a sense of accomplishment after I jumped tandem with my instructor and landed safely on the ground. There was a point right before the jump when the adrenalin was pulsing through my bloodstream that I thought I would just say, “No, I’m not going to jump out of this plane. If you could please take me back to the ground now, I’ll just get in my car and drive home.” Instead, suddenly the door opened and I was told to sit on the ledge with my legs dangling out of the plane and not to look down whatever I do. What did I get myself into?
He said that if I looked down, I could start spiraling out of control, so all I wanted to do was look up and hold my arms up. Then he pushed me out. There I was, freefalling for a few seconds with no parachute. My adrenalin was pumping so hard, I thought my heart was going to explode. It was sheer terror! But I lived through it and realized I had challenged myself and done something really daring, something I wouldn’t normally do. I’m proud of that.
Would I do it again? Absolutely not! But, kudos to me for giving it the old-retiree-try! The point I am trying to make here is to not put limitations on yourself because you think you might be too old to try new things and have new experiences. Never stop learning new things.
With aging and experience comes wisdom. Certain things that were important to me at a young age just don’t matter anymore. I have reached a point in my life where “things” and the acquisition of possessions don’t matter as much as they used to. What matters to me now is surrounding myself with people who are positive, have a good outlook on life, have my best interest at heart, and accept me for the person I am – imperfect, with scars from surgeries, graying hair and lines on my face.
I still have goals I want to achieve. I have always appreciated artists and how they look at the world and the way they create their artwork. I want to teach myself how to paint and how to play a new instrument. I might try sculpture or pottery. I want to grow my own vegetables and learn to do some canning. I may not be any good at some of these things – but what if I am?
I feel the secret to aging gracefully is finding something every day to feel blessed about. Be mindful and learn to live in the moment and be present. Never stop learning. Stay active. Get plenty of rest. Drink lots and lots of water every day to stay hydrated. Eat nutrient-dense food. Exercise. It’s important to have faith in something bigger than you. Take care of your spirit, mind and body and you’ll be OK. Oh, and don’t forget to laugh!
“I may not be any good at some of these things – but what if I am? ”
Carol Saxton grew up in Dearborn, Michigan and moved to Orlando, Florida, after college, got married and lived there for 22 years. She divorced and moved back to Michigan and settled in Traverse City, where her parents retired. There she met her husband, David, and they had a food concessions business for ten years. She now co-owns Urban Oasis Salt Spa on West Bay in Traverse City.
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