I turned twenty-six this past Wednesday and my first thought upon waking up was that I am only four years away from turning thirty. I'm still "young" by many standards, though those first thoughts of actually aging are a little nerve wracking. For someone like myself it's nerve wracking because being a horseback rider I find aging scary. Aging means not being as mobile as before, not being as quick on your feet, or having the muscle one used to have, aging means losing bone mass, but...aging means gaining wisdom. Losing one's body but gaining wisdom is a difficult thing to grasp mentally. No one would choose one versus the other. Now is there a way to keep one's body and gain wisdom? I believe there is, or there is at least a way to try. There is always a way to try.
I started doing pilates eight years ago and I initially did it to improve my riding and keep my body looking good, yes some vanity does exist inside me, as it does with most human beings. I am now a certified pilates instructor and I practice myself two to four days a week. I know when I haven't practiced because old injuries start aching, and I get on a horse and I can feel my muscles not working as strongly. The biggest thing I find is that my body doesn't work as connectedly to my mind as I want or need it to. Now I do pilates regularly so that I can keep following my passion that involves handling and riding 1200 pound, four legged, equines, and so that as I age, hopefully I will age gracefully.
In my opinion, aging gracefully also includes the idea of aging in my mind with increased wisdom and knowledge. As a writer I find myself writing to fit the age group of where I am at in my own life right now. I would love to be the writer that ages, but may not age in my stories. My novels and writing might stay young, though I would like to have the flexibility to write for an older age group as well. Being able to switch from intense wisdom and writing for an adult age, to writing with inspiration for a younger age is something attainable, but to be good at it is something one must work hard at. I love the storylines from younger generation novels and young adult fiction that weave these intricate dramatic romances, fantastical scenes of fantasy elements, and so much more. I find that those types of stories make me feel younger than I am, more alive, more in tune. Maybe if I keep writing to the young and working to write to the old I can keep my young mind, even as I age.
Like a rosebush that keeps blooming year after year, maybe I can keep my body and mind working together to keep inspiring me and working for me as my years come and go.
A dozen roses for my 26th from my man.