Youre How Old?!?

"Well, Happy Birthday! How old are you anyway?"

"Oh, I'm just 29 ? again."

It's a harmless game, denying our age, right? We play sensitive about our age as we get older, as we get further away from birth and closer to death. It's just a way to share our unease of growing older with people around us.

Try as we might, time marches on and we get older just the same. I was reminded about this when I recently read that we are now seven million years old. That's at least a million years older than we were just one year ago.

Of course, that does not mean you or I personally aged a million years in the past 365 days. That would be either a horror movie or the work of a genius. An early human skull found in the Sahara Desert is 7 million years old, pushing "the start of human evolution back at least another million years."

For you and me, age is important. Denying one's age, or even being sensitive about it, can be disabling. Our years, our lines, our scars are part of who we are. They should be a matter of comfort and pride. Happiness eludes us when we feel embarrassed, guilty, or shy about who we are.

It's time for each of us to take pride again in everything we are. Try saying something like this: "I am pushing 40 (or whatever age applies to you). I have lived 40 years. I have survived 40 years. I have experienced 40 years. I have learned from 40 years. (I have much more to learn, so God, please let me live another 40!) I have thrived, mostly, during 40 years. And I am proud of every one of those years."

Once upon a time, the elders of the village were revered. They bore both knowledge and wisdom. Now we settle for just knowledge. The elders carried traditions down from generations. Now we just create brand new "traditions". The elders were our leaders. Now we downsize them.

Youth has its own beauty, its own advantages, its own reasons to be admired. So, too, does middle age. In fact, every age is important and every age is beautiful. How old are you right now? (Really, I don't mean "29 again".) Whatever age you are, right now that is the perfect age -- and the perfect age to be proud of.

Oh sure, it is sort of harmless to kid about one's age. And many people joke about it harmlessly. But many of us also have a deep unease about our age and our aging -- an unease that can hold back our self-esteem.

I recall sitting in my pew when it suddenly dawned on me why one member of the all-female choir looked so different. Every lady was at least 40 years old, but the other heads were jet black or honey brown or sandy blonde or some other artificial tint. White Top Lady packed a loaded bundle of white hair.

It is not a sin to dye one's hair, as long as we don't do it during the service. It is just one of many ways we adorn ourselves. But the sight of a dozen elderly ladies with hair colors impossible for their age made me want to laugh out loud right there in church. (I resisted.) All the heads would probably have looked normal if White Top Lady's hair had not been screaming out, "I'm proud of my color. I'm proud of my age. I'm not going to hide."

It's time to be proud of everything about ourselves, including our age. So to everybody reading this, "Happy Seven Millionth!"

About The Author

David Leonhardt is The Happy Guy, and author of Climb your Stairway to Heaven: the 9 habits of maximum happiness.

Visit him at http://www.TheHappyGuy.com

David@TheHappyGuy.com

---

Dont Want Another Carpet Sweeper This Year For Christmas?

Unique "Drop-A-Hint" Plan Sends Your Gift Wishes Via E-mailSure, they... Read More

Celebrate Your Freedom: 6 Important Freedoms to Celebrate Everyday

At the end of the movie "Braveheart," William Wallace is... Read More

Angel Costumes! Theres An Angel Inside Us All, But Are You Naughty Or Nice?

When searching for Angel Costumes, there are so many choices... Read More

Mothers Day Flowers & Gifts!

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 8th! Whether she lives next... Read More

A Mothers Keepsake

A mother's bracelet is a personalized bracelet that celebrates the... Read More

Hassle-Free Holiday Baking: 6 Easy Days to Perfect Christmas Cookies

Like many people, I love the idea of making a... Read More

Choosing Childrens Birthday Party Supplies and Decorations

Birthday party supplies and decorations can bring that necessary magic... Read More

Christmas Decorating Ideas - Edible Ornaments

Although it is now more decades away than I care... Read More

How to Make Your Own Printable Invitations for Any Occasion

Even with modern technology like email and cell phones, printed... Read More

A Diamond Christmas 2004!

When Archduke Maximillian of Austria bestowed a diamond ring on... Read More

Corporate Holiday Gift Ideas Start With a Possibilities List

Plan ahead this year for your corporate clients and associates... Read More

Little Helpers in the Holiday Kitchen

The holiday season is a wonderful opportunity to allow your... Read More

Gift Giving During Thanksgiving Adds That Special Touch

Many of us believe Christmas is one of the most... Read More

Stress-Free Holiday Entertaining

The holiday season is upon us! It is a time... Read More

Spend More Time With Your Family This Holiday Season: Host A Caroling Party

Too often we forgo entertaining because of the mere thought... Read More

Halloween Costumes...for Pets!

One of the best things about Halloween, is wearing a... Read More

Find Your Favorite Swashbuckling Pirate Costume!

"Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me!" If... Read More

Happy New Year for 2005

It is 7:45 a.m. in Port Moody, British Columbia Canada,... Read More

Give Presence Not Presents

Throughout the year we have many gift-giving opportunities to show... Read More

Christmas Lights Add Sparkle To The Holidays

Electric Christmas lights have been around since the 1880's. It... Read More

Memorial Day: 3 Ways To Honor American Soldiers

The last Monday of May since 1868, has been designated... Read More

Christmas Shopping for a New Love

Christmas is a magical time of year, especially for those... Read More

Contact Lenses for Halloween

It is never too soon to begin planning the perfect... Read More

What to Do When You Are Alone for the Holidays

Being alone for the holidays is a major challenge for... Read More

Halloween & Hounds

Halloween is "fright night" for humans not dogs. Screaming, running,... Read More

Are You Going To Survive The Holidays?

Admit it! You promised this year was not going to... Read More

The Holiday Shopping Experience - Rewarding or Traumatic?

Picture this scenario! It's December 24th, the day of Christmas... Read More

Unique Gift Ideas for the Holiday Season! Go Digital!

Instead of scouring the mall for gifts this holiday season... Read More

Buying Jewelry for Mother?s Day or How To Buy The Perfect Gift for Mom Without Getting Ripped Off

Jewelry can be the perfect gift for mom on Mother's... Read More

SALOME and HERODIAS, A Curious Mothers Day Story, Part 2 of 2 Parts

First, a disclaimer:This article requires information about John the Baptist,... Read More

Alone for the Holidays?

Being alone is a challenge for many people. This challenge... Read More

Legends of the Christmas Tree

The Christmas tree is a much loved symbol iinstantly calling... Read More

The Origins Of Mothers Day

Today Mother's Day or Mothering Sunday is celebrated all over... Read More