Let’s be clear: Anti-aging is insulting BS. Let’s try “Super Aging” (feels better doesn’t it?). By Super Aging, we mean living longer, healthier and happier than we may believe possible. To be alive is to age, and that happens at all ages: 5 years old or 95 years old. To be anti-aging is to discount and denigrate our lived experience, and, ultimately, to be anti-living.
To Super Age is to build on who we are, not who we were, and make our future amazing. We are who we are because of where we have been; we will become who we will be based on what we do next. We have a big say in this. Not everything is within our control, bad stuff still happens, but most of our outcomes depend on the choices we make. Fact: Conservatively, 70% of our health outcomes are under our control. To Super Age is to use that 70% wisely, with a vision of what a life in the future could be. The number-one factor in how we take care of ourselves is our mindset, which is completely free and available to everyone. Optimistic people take action to create a better future for themselves. Having resources is helpful, but it is not the main ingredient—it is how we see ourselves in the future.
Imagine what a great next five, 10, or 30 years could look like. This can be challenging, as all we know is where we have been and what others are like at a more advanced age. These are interesting reference points, but they won’t get the job done. In 1900, flying was something that didn’t work out so well for any creature other than a bird. It was unimaginable. I am not claiming things like radical life extension will happen, but I do think there is a very good chance we could all be living longer and healthier than previous generations. There is every possibility that 85 will become the new 45. It may not happen, but if we act as if it could, we will probably have a much better chance than otherwise. It has been said we have the right to suspend disbelief in the absence of proof. Let’s try moving in that direction by taking on an optimistic Super Age mindset and seeing where that leads us.
Onward and upward,
David
