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Adaptation

hard is not impossible

We have been writing for the last month about this simple idea: hard is not impossible. We walked, we made friends in elevators, we meditated, we endured cold showers. So what is the point of all this? Self-flagellation?

The most powerful thing to do to change your circumstances is to change your thinking. What I am trying to get across here is that when we were 20, we would take all sorts of risks. Nothing was impossible, nothing was too hard. Jump in a cold lake? No problem. We were a bit crazy, but we survived. What has changed is that we now need to adapt to major changes in our lives, our bodies and the world at large. Maybe we have gotten used to the idea that uncomfortable is bad and something to be avoided. The softest chair is the best chair, until you find you can no longer get out of it without assistance.  Sure, we are wiser, but are we falling back on “wisdom” as another way of saying, “I’m scared, I can’t do this”?

Darwin said the most successful species were not the smartest, strongest, fastest — it’s the ones that were able to best adapt. Adapting is hard; it means changing, it means leaving the familiar, it means the humiliation of failing and then learning what works. It means being a beginner.  It’s hard, but it is not impossible.

Every day I figure out what I have to do to keep AGEIST pushing out into the world. Looking back, 3 years ago, 95% of what I do now I had no idea how to do, thought I had no capacity to do, or just refused to look at. Probably 1/3 of what I do today I have very little idea of how to do well. That is the truth. I ask people for help, I ask people to tell me what I am good at, I ask people, “How can I improve?” I do all that stuff I tell you about: the walking, the meditating, the cold showers, the network-expanding stuff. It all helps. It shows me I can do this. Because every day I need to prove to myself that hard is not impossible.

See medical disclaimer below. ↓

The ideas expressed here are solely the opinions of the author and are not researched or verified by AGEIST LLC, or anyone associated with AGEIST LLC. This material should not be construed as medical advice or recommendation, it is for informational use only. We encourage all readers to discuss with your qualified practitioners the relevance of the application of any of these ideas to your life. The recommendations contained herein are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. You should always consult your physician or other qualified health provider before starting any new treatment or stopping any treatment that has been prescribed for you by your physician or other qualified health provider. Please call your doctor or 911 immediately if you think you may have a medical or psychiatric emergency.

David Stewart
David is the founder and face of AGEIST. He is an expert on, and a passionate champion of the emerging global over-50 lifestyle. A dynamic speaker, he is available for panels, keynotes and informational talks at david@agei.st.

 

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