"I’m pretty cool for my age, right?"
"Well you know, I’m getting older so…"
"I feel so old!"
What. The. F***?
I want to start with that.
What the f***?
When did our bodies become something we have zero power over?What happened to mind over matter? What happened to laughter being the best medicine?
When did our bodies become prisons that we slowly decay in while we maintain an undercurrent of complaining, instead of a blessing to live a fantastic life in?
It feels like the world has somehow stopped improving their metabolism. They’ve dropped aiming higher for their lives, with the excuse that "time is passing" and "I’m too old for [blank]."
I call bullshit.
Because the youthful peeps are all around us.
And I don’t mean kids.
People living in youthful ways are everywhere, you just need to copy them.They really are, if you care, if you’re paying attention. If you’ll stop bitching about years flying by and drop your "I’m-a-victim-of-my-body" mindset.
Here, let me help you.
There’s Chizu Saeki, who teaches youthful skin in a visionary way that no one else does.
There’s people like Keanu Reeves & Jennifer Lopez, or classics like Audrey Hepburn & Bettie Page.
There’s incredible examples like the guy and girl below.
 Click to enlarge! – Images first found at alden-tan.com *Apparently the guy used steroids, but I don’t think it’s a deal-breaker for the point, and worst come to worst, I could replace him with Ernestine Shepard. |  Click to enlarge! |
And I could do this all day.
I could make a career out of highlighting and displaying people who make age look like a joke.They’re everywhere, you probably know some, but write them off as "lucky".
Is that so you don’t have to take steps, and actually study these people and how they live? How they think?
And the funny thing? Even if I provide tons of examples, people will still write them off as "genetic freaks", and they won’t even bother to dig deeper and see if there’s common patterns.
You skip ’em & dismiss ’em, don’t cha?
If you’re like most people, you pay little attention to these fantastically youthful people, and that’s okay. I did too.
- Most people won’t notice that each of these people have insanely positive mindsets about what’s possible.
- They’ll fail to see that each of these people spins obstacles into advantages.
- They’ll miss that each of these people started with a small step to transform, maintain, and uplift themselves, and then grew habits that altered their biology.
Or the people who turn disability into an advantage, like the legless guy who was allowed to race, then won the competiton, and then was disqualified for an unfair advantage.
[below, a video of stand-up comedian Katt Williams riffing on this hard. – 10+ million views.]
Really.
The guy who brilliantly triumphed what to most people is a crushing disability, and who was openly allowed to race, was disqualified because he triumphed too mcuh?
Puh-leeze.
There are monks in China who can make the blood in their body flow into their hands, making their fists bigger, heavier, and more powerful. There’s the iceman, who can mind-over-matter himself naked through any subzero temperature.
And don’t even get me started on how people like Mick Jagger, Charlie Sheen, and The Weeknd live.
Please, bring up age in every sentence!
I’m kidding. I’m being tongue-in-cheek. Sarcastic, even.
Because the people who bring up age, even the people who THINK they’re positive about they’re age… are usually shooting themselves in the foot.They say stuff like "I look good, for my age."
This is a loaded statement.
It sounds SO positive.
But what they really want to say is "I look good, period", but they compare themselves to some youthful 20-year old, figure looking like that’s a hopeless dream, and settle for saying "well, I’m pretty good (even though I’d secretly LOVE to look and feel more youthful."
They’ll say "I’m young at heart."
Another loaded statement.
‘Cause what they’re really saying is "Hey, ‘inside’ I feel pretty young, and I try to do lots of fun stuff, but my body just isn’t youthful, and probably will never reflect my inside-feeling."
It’s cool, I accept it, it’s where people are at, and maybe they’re not ready to dream bigger right now.
That’s fine.
But you know what I’d love?
I’d love it if people would just start saying "I look and feel good, I do, and I’ll look and feel even better tomorrow, ’cause that’s how I roll."BAM.
I’d love to hear them saying "I don’t really listen to my ‘government recorded age’ because I know age is my decision. It’s a number, bitches, and I’m forever 21 :D"
I’d love to hear something different than the subtle bitching and thinly-veiled I’m-a-victim-of-my-own-body-oh-no crap.
Yes, we all age & die, I get it, I don’t need you subtly bringing it up as an excuse for not aiming high.
Does aging + dying really have to play out in the shitty way most people think, or maaaaaybe, might their be – gasp! – another way?
Maybe it’s something to look into, investigate, explore and experiment with, instead of giving up in resignation?
I’d love to hear your views, and I’d love for this fresh perspective to reach more of the world, mostly cuz I’m selfish and want a world of beautiful people to live in, at least a little more than we have… (for me… not necessarily everyone :P)
Related Post: Fire Your Doctor, Eat Like Charlie Sheen, And Win At Life
Hi! I'm J-Ryze, I help heroes #ryze their empires.
Well I’ll be the first cab off the ranks in the age discussion 🙂
Yes I’ve always considered age to be completely irrelevant. Totally Agree with you. It is only a number and does not define you or the actions that you take. But… (yep sorry I have to go there) It is an identifier, none the less. It’s how people form judgements based on their beliefs and expectations about aging. Right, wrong or indifferent. It’s just another basis of comparison of self against others.
Personally I couldn’t give a rats arse what someone thinks my limitations are, based on their perceptions about age. It comes down to what I think.
Does that preclude me from language that doesn’t quite fit with my beliefs…No way, I’m just as flawed as the next person in adopting societal memes, until I catch myself in the act that is.
I think this one will be an interesting discussion with the diverse crew you have that visit Ryze, looking forward to following the comments on this one.
Yep, Jackie – you’ve added something really important — I left it out intentionally, because when using it as an identifier, it’s much less confusing and less of an issue.
For example, Craig McBreen wears his age like a badge of honor, and uses it to connect to his audience. Brilliant 🙂
Aww, I love how you touch on the fact that you make use of societal memes + cliches. We all do I suppose, but I’ve kinda focused on selecting my own, hence articles like this 😀
I’d love to see some ‘somewhat older’ bloggers and ‘much younger’ bloggers weigh on this 😉
I’m in complete agreement with Jackie – while I could care less about age, we do live in a world of perception. Age is used as a means to identify, relate, and compare.
Personally, I’ve has some of the most intriguing conversations with people twice my age, and 10 years younger, so I do look beyond the number and directly at the substance.
People are often in agreement with Jackie, J 🙂
And yes, I could’ve written tons on age-as-perception, too 😛
I was leaving room for you guys 🙂
Looking beyond the number is highly recommended, and thanks for paving the way, man 🙂
Recently someone Holly Jahangiri asked me “how did I get to be so wise, so young?” so I guess I’m subject to it too 😛
Hah! Wondered if you caught that.
I have no idea how old you are, Jason. 😉 You LOOK significantly younger than me, but who knows? Age is just a number; it’s what you do with the years that matters. It’s true, though, that youth is often utterly wasted on the young. I watch my kids desperate to grow up, then desperate to put the brakes on time, and from where I’m sitting, all I can think is, “Where’s the rush? Enjoy the journey.” Age is also a cultural thing – if you’re over a certain age, I can tell you the punchline to certain jokes without having to give a lengthy background, you know? I can refer to certain events and you’ll know what songs were playing on the radio. But beyond that, who cares?
Thanks, Holly! And that’s the thing, eh? The mystery of age 🙂 Enjoy the journey feels kind of timeless to me, and it seems like that’s what you’re saying here.
The consensus seems to be that it can be used as an identifier. Like a prodigy at 8 is different than a prodigy at 58. Not better, not worse, not something we all need to be, but an identifier for us to relate to one another 😀
Fantastic comments, miss!
LOL the pictures of the old guy and Jung Da Yeon look familar 😛
Nice post!
I find it sad with age, there’s a divide among people, like older peeps can’t hang with younger ones, and vice versa.
Alden! Dude!
TOTALLY meant to link your fantastic post — uploaded wrong draft 🙂
Fixing now 🙂
This post is aimed to mend the divide, you said it man.
Btw according to the comments on my own post, the old, buff and ripped guy apparently used growth hormones and steroids.
Hence people call him a cheater, but I’m like whatevers, at least he dares to break through and get what he wants.
Love your perspective, and thanks for the update.
I said I could bring up examples all day, and I can — I’d replace him with Ernestine Shepard, 73 and ridiculous fit. Youtube it 🙂
I love this! I’m a young at heart 51 years old. O.K, so I look it, but it doesn’t mean that I have to act my age (whatever that means.) The devil in me really enjoys encouraging other “oldies” (not my word) to have fun, to test themselves and do the unexpected, whether it’s learning something new or driving a Ferrari around a Formula 1 race track. If I want to abseil down the fire station wall for charity, I will. (Despite being terrified of heights and suffer terribly from vertigo.) I encouraged my parents to join me swimming in a river when we were on holiday together 2 years ago. They loved it! It reminded them of when they were children and of a time before the sensible actions of adulthood kick in and stop you from enjoying yourself as you want to. The result of all of this silliness, irresponsibility, living, call it what you will, is always loads of laughter and that my friends, is the best anti ageing cure there is!
My role model for this age crap is my great aunt. She’s 104 and still lives in her own home without any nursing care. Someone does her shopping and cleaning and someone else tends her garden. She’s had an incredibly interesting and active life and is still as sharp as a tack. Her recipe for a long and happy life – “Be true to yourself and to others and enjoy a gin and tonic every evening”.
My goodness, Carolyn! I’m so psyched, to have someone who’s a fantastic example of what I’m talking about, right here in the comments!
And your story of your great aunt is awesome! (If she wants to comment, I’m totally open to it :P)
Actually, all your stories (river and all) are awesome.
Anyway I’m so glad you shared! Thank you.
Loads of laughter and tons of fun! Yeah!
Great article … I was inspired.
The part about how we talk about our age got to me. I’m coming up on 50, have had white hair since I was in my 20’s, so people make a lot of assumptions. Which mostly I ignore but it’s easy to let the negative talk slip in.
I intend to live to at least 100 mainly because I want to see what happens. Thanks for posting this.
Yeah ya are! Woo! Awesome, Pat!
That *is* a pretty interesting story, and I love that you’re onto positive, new ways. And Carolyn’s Great Aunt is 104!
Thanks for commenting 🙂
How did you get so wise, so young? 🙂
I wrote this piece about 10 years ago, but I think you might like it: http://better-health.article-dynamics.com/publish/?id=420552
I guess I was pretty wise, pretty young, too.
Not wise enough to avoid article marketing like the plague, obviously – speaking of zombies, that thing is going to live on Lord knows where forever, isn’t it?
Magic!
Or … all the right ingredients of genetics, a supportive family, and lots and lots of pain/hardship/character-building 🙂
I think I might like it also, birds of a feather 😀
Hahahah… never know, Holly 🙂
It ages well 😛
HahahahahaHA poor little Tink Tink video kills it.
Disqualify a cripple for crushing it, you might as well disqualify a 60 year old for accidentally winning the world’s beauty pagent for being old when people couldn’t tell or take away the rights of some 10 year old’s invention because he wasn’t old enough to put a licence on his product or some shit when he invents the next thing as important as the Internet.
And you know what the above are happening, the world’s changing yo 🙂
Dude — that is some fantastic comparisons – that’s exactly what it’s like.
Katt Williams knows it ain’t quite right, and he’s crackin’ wise about it.
Bam. 🙂
when I was a kid, people at my current age (62) for the most part looked and more importantly, acted old. At this moment, I have no idea what I am supposed to feel and act like. I feel pretty good, am able to do almost anything I wish to and most importantly….look toward the future (usually) eagerly, rather than living in the past. i don’t care what any particular age is ‘supposed’ to feel like. I just go with the best I’ve got .
The great baseball player, Satchel Paige was reputed to have asked this question (I love it!): ‘If you didn’t know how old you are, how old would you be?’
Ah, Paul, I’m so pleased you’re weighing in here. I say it every time we meet, you are a shining example of ‘age’ not mattering and happiness being a self-directed state.
You absolutely rock. “Look toward the future, eagerly.”, “Go with the best we’ve got.”, I love it.
And yes, I’ve heard that quote before (though I didn’t know it was Paige), and I think it sums everything up nicely.
Keep ryzing!
Jason, this post is totally RIGHT ON, as usual.
It was my birthday recently, and can’t tell you how many times people told me how young I look “for my age.” When I don’t go all gaga with a gung-ho grateful response, they think I don’t believe them or something so they keep on going… “Really, Jen! You look like you’re at least 10 years younger!”
I’m with ya Jason–I don’t want to look good “for my age.” And I don’t care if I look “young.”
I want to look… uh, no… I want to BE… HOT. Period.
So I do things every day to take care of myself and bring pleasure to my life because FEELING healthy and sexy is really important to me.
Age is just a speck of toothpaste splatter I wipe off the mirror that reflects my healthy sexy self. It gives no magnitude to how successful I am or how good I look or moreover how I feel.
And love how Kat Williams shows in the video how the “haters” do all those unnecessary exercises with their legs before the race starts. SO FUNNY. But that’s what those people do! When instead they should be cheering each other on and enjoying it all and they’d do better in the race because of it.
I really like how you encourage us to “investigate, explore, and experiment”… GREAT idea Jason. I think I’ll go attempt something new right now… maybe I’ll find another fun way to feel good…:)
Ah, Jen, thanks so much for such an enthusiastic (and eye-opening) response.
“RIGHT ON as usual” ? Yay! My inner-little-boy is beaming with pride 😀
You seem to totally have the attitude I encourage and love. BE whatever you want, no justifications, no qualifications.
And every girl I’ve ever been with has always felt more beautiful & sexy through our interactions, and I continue that trend.
Hahaha… Katt Williams is a brilliant comedian, sharp and hilarious. Glad you’re feelin’ it, and yes, that’s a big part of Ryze’s message — don’t just take what I say at face value — investigate, explore, and experiment. At the same time, don’t just believe what you’ve always believed, either.
As for new ways of feeling good, well I know a TON that we can do with 2 (or more) people — interested? 😛
Total confession: I am 37 years old and this year I totally thought I was turning 39 (dont even ask, mathematically challenged) but the point is HELL, I love where I am at. I’d never turn back and most women I speak to are lovin’ their 30s. In fact, they say it gets even sexier in our 40s – WATCH OUT 🙂
Point is: I know what I had to go through to get here and TODAY I am in love with the me inside and out. Ready to share that love and finally feel significant to contribute to the universe in the way that was designed for me. I am the world and its gorgeous :).
Well, you rock, Suha! Thanks so much for being here! LOVE your younger-than-reality tale 🙂
I also like the attitude of the women you talk to, and especially your attitude towards life. You are the world, and it’s gorgeous. Rock on and ryze up and thanks for being here 🙂
Hi Jason,
A while ago I was at a birthday party of two 60-year olds. Both lived very similar lives, both basically healthy, and just really similar people. But one looked 15 years older than the other. Why? Because she doesn’t take good care of herself. And she thinks age comes with wrinkles, aches, and health issues…
Sad. Just so freaking sad.
And did you know that muscles grow faster when you get older? That’s why getting insanely fit at the age of 70 is possible.
Woo! Peter, great story. It seems this post is bringing out lots of discussion + stories. I love it 🙂
And yep, it’s great to make a strong habit of supporting and taking care of ourselves, doing what energizes, not drains, and feeling more youthful.
It also requires some badass moves, hence Ryze 🙂
P.S. Interesting info about muscle-growth as we age.
Now that was deep Jason….The video…stupid funny and I love Katt too, but he made a great point, as did your post. When someone is doing something extraordinary, there will always be those “few” that will have something negative to say. I remember someone I use to work with that lost loads of weight and it was hilarious to see all the other women in the office talk so bad about her. So must energy was wasted on everything wrong they saw with it, when what they truly spoke about was themselves. The best part is that she knew that too and was ready for the and negative feedback.
It’s like me trying to tell people I know to go for what they dream about and don’t be afraid of failing. You know never know what you’re capable of achieving and how many people will actually cheer you on when you don’t even know it. Like that runner, he had to be his OWN cheerleader when no one else wasn’t. For me, people like that could kiss my a– and I keep going towards my goals. I know I am going to achieve what I am after because at the end of the day, no one else is gonna do the hustle for me…so it’s time to get it done myself.
[grin] I like to think that ‘deep’ and Jason go together pretty well 🙂 Thanks, Sonia, and Katt Williams definitely brings it home in a funny way.
People who successfully make money on their own terms, or get the body they want, etc. are often hated on. A weird phenomenon 🙂
I like how you talk about the people who will cheer you on when you don’t even know it 😀
You’ve got a great attitude, it keeps you young and will take you far. 🙂
Thanks Sonia!
J-Ryze,
Good thoughts here brother… I know our bodies eventually catch up to us… But that is so late in life. You can be spry into your 90s if you mentally allow it.
Mind over matter for sure…
Hanley
You got it, man! And I’m kinda of the opinion that people could live to ‘biblical ages’ and beyond, were desire strong, vision and attitude clear, and the conditions right.
Will that happen for one or more of us humans? Is my view ‘ridiculous’ or ‘expansive and unlimited’ ?
[grin]
Spry into your 90s!
Sounds like a product 😛
Great additions here, Ryan, thanks
Thank you for this post. I’ve bookmarked it. I like your no bullshit insight. Thank you for waking us up.
Thanks so much, Brooke! I really appreciate everyone I can connect with and help ryze 🙂
You rock!