There IS Something Good About Getting Older
I recently read an interview with legendary Rolling Stones front man Mick Jagger, now 82 years young. He remarked that “there’s nothing good about getting old.”
Mick, first, thank you. Thank you for nearly seven decades of music that had us dancing in our kitchens, singing in our cars, and occasionally embarrassing our children.
But respectfully… I disagree.
Now, before anyone sends me angry texts, emails, or even thoughts, let’s be honest: our knees may creak; we may need reading glasses; we discover muscles we didn’t even know we had because they suddenly ache after gardening; and yes, climbing out of bed can occasionally sound like a bowl of Rice Krispies – Snap. Crackle. Pop.
Growing older certainly changes us. But does it rob us of everything good?
Not even close. The problem isn’t aging. The problem is comparing a 72-year-old, or in Mick Jagger’s case, 82-year-old body to a 22-year-old body.
That’s an unfair contest. Instead, let’s compare an 82-year-old (or 72 year-old) who keeps learning, moving, laughing, loving, and growing to an 82-year-old who has given up. Now we have a comparison worth making.
Science tells us something incredibly hopeful: Our muscles can become stronger. Our balance can improve. Our brains can continue to build new neural pathways. Our relationships can become deeper. Our wisdom can expand and benefit others.
Our perspective broadens as we age. In fact, many of life’s greatest gifts arrive only after we’ve lived long enough to appreciate them. Think about your: patience today compared to the 20-year-old you. Consider your perspective, your level of gratitude; forgiveness; humility; and compassion.
Those aren’t wrinkles; those are superpowers. Can we still sprint across the stage as Mick Jagger did in 1969? Probably not. But perhaps we can do something even better: we can become calmer; kinder; wiser; more intentional; more present.
As I write in my upcoming book, Mindfulness for Grownups, perhaps the goal isn’t to fight aging. Rather, the goal is to flourish because of it. I’ve seen people in their 90s practicing yoga. A 90-year-old woman performed a perfect routine on the parallel bars – I was so impressed. Gymnastics was a passion as a teen until I replaced it with drill team.
I’ve watched older adults learn artificial intelligence. I’ve met grandparents starting up new businesses. I’ve known people who found the love of their life after retirement. I’ve seen lives transformed by volunteering, mentoring, faith, purpose, and curiosity. None of those require a perfect pair of knees.
All they require is an open heart, an open mind, and willingness. When I watched that 90-year-old on the parallel bars, for a minute I imagined myself and what would I do if there were uneven parallel bars in front of me today…
So, Mick…
Maybe there isn’t “nothing good” about getting older. Or, maybe you’re simply measuring the wrong things. If we measure life by how high we jump…
Yes, aging can feel like a loss. But if we measure life by how deeply we love…
How wisely we choose…
How generously we give…
How fully we live…
Then getting older isn’t the end of the story. It may just be the chapter where we finally understand what the story has been about all along.
Growing older is inevitable.
Growing wiser is optional.
I know which one I’m choosing.
How about you?
