Grace

Angels are bright still, though the

brightest fell.

Though all things foul would wear the

brows of grace,

Yet Grace must still look so.

Macbeth, William Shakespeare

How things appear and how they actually are can vary greatly. During a recent luncheon, the subject of my blog came up. When I offered the title, the assumption seemed to be that I wrote about the physical affects of aging and how to counteract them. Before I could correct the misconception the conversation had moved on. That is not my area of interest.

I’m sure that exercise and healthy eating can be positive factors in counteracting the effects of aging. That’s just not where I’m at. My idea of exercise is a morning walk with the dog. Healthy eating is not as much about what I eat as how I eat. I try to practice moderation. I will admit that after gaining a few pounds over the holidays I have decided to forgo desserts for a while. That doesn’t mean I might not, sometimes, have a piece of chocolate. I do drink alcohol and coffee. Studies about the affects of both have gone back and forth so many times they have lost all credibility for me. Again, it’s about moderation. I don’t take any prescribed medication and, overall, I feel good. My body cannot do what it did when I was twenty or even forty. I’m okay with that. I realize everyone’s challenges are different.

My focus is the spiritual and psychological side of aging. As we become older we are forced to reframe our lives. A new perspective might send us on a spiritual journey. We look for answers and consider options that we didn’t have time for, or weren’t interested in pursuing, when we were younger. This can be tied to religion or a belief in a higher being.

Our mental health and comfort level with where we are in life is as important now as it ever was. Loneliness, depression and anxiety are concerns many of us struggle with. We are redefining our roles. There is time to consider a connection with something bigger than ourself. What shape this takes can be different for each of us. There is no right or wrong. It’s about what works for you. This summer, I was sitting at a table outside a cafe when a young woman commented about how comfortable I looked. I told her I was enjoying the warm sun. She replied with, “You be you.” I don’t think that’s bad advice.You be you.