Getting Older Younger
                                                                    By   Karah Raphaelita Newton
                                    Dedicated to Gwendolyn Mitchell Major and Mary Joyce Philpart Daniels
                                                                              December 11, 2017 

It was brought to my attention unexpectedly, and somewhat as a shock, that I was no longer a young person. I vaguely recall the time and place of this revelation, however, what remains etched in my memory are the two words by which a 19-year-old addressed me, "Hello, Ma'am!"  I had never previously been addressed in this fashion.  At the precise moment those two words were uttered, I was made acutely aware that I was now 39, and speedily approaching that magical age of forty. Now, mind you, I will be the first to admit that it is indeed a privilege, honor and blessing to get older. This incident happened over a decade ago. The question I posed to myself at that moment was "How do I get older younger?”  This question may appear to be an oxymoron. But, wait…. Please give me a moment to explain.

There are some people who hold on tenaciously to their youthfulness as they age, due perhaps in part to luck of their genetics. Genetics aside, I believe that there are others factors that play a significant role in aging youthfully.  Let's face it, all of us are getting older by the minute.
 
 
Aging is not a curse, but a blessing.  The key issue in aging is how do we age with beauty and grace? We will explore several factors that can help us grow older more youthfully.
 
The first factor has nothing to do with outward appearances.  It has everything to do with our inner being. Now, even I am curious as to what this could be. It is simply how we think. Our thinking patterns, concepts, ideologies and perception of the world which we come in contact with, and how we view and process reality all play a significant part in aging youthfully.  Learning to think positive, even in negative circumstances helps our inner self to grow older gracefully. My thought life is an area in which I have to consistently challenge myself.  For me, this is a lifetime project. I am by no means saying that we should deny the reality in front of us, but whatever situation we are facing, let’s be hopeful, envision a positive outcome, and take positive action.  Do what you can do in your power, and trust God for wisdom and direction.  Do not worry. Worry tends to age us faster. This is another area where I am challenging myself, and yes, I’ve made vast improvement, yet there is still enormous room for me to grow in worrying less and trusting God more. 
 
One avenue that we can use to re-configure our thinking pattern is to seek exposure beyond our immediate environment.
Let me explain this better with an example.  If you are exposed exclusively to hip hop music, how about sampling a different genre of music, such as classical music. Who knows? You might enjoy the change in music scenery and you might even learn something new in the process.  Venture beyond what you’re accustomed to and expose yourself to a new experience or a different environment. It does not necessarily require money to expose yourself beyond your social or cultural environment.  There is free access to an abundance of resources that expand our horizons. A trip to the library to read up on interesting topics unfamiliar to you; watching an inspiring documentary on television, and exploring positive new ideas on the internet are all ways to expand the boundaries of your environment. If there is a particular subject that you are passionate about, join a local club that specializes in the subject.  Listen to programs that inspire you to think outside of the box, in a powerful, positive manner.  I am emphasizing positive because there are so many negative things out there. We have to safeguard our way of thinking from negative influences.
 
The second area in which you can improve your chances of aging youthfully is eating ─ eating healthier, in addition to including some type of exercise to your daily schedule.  That sounds simple and easy enough, but if you are like me, it takes some planning.  Here are some steps that I have taken for a healthier lifestyle. 
 
I replaced soda beverages with water. I treat myself to soda on special occasions, being careful not to overdo it.  If you don't like water, try adding lemon to your water.  Replace your craving for sweets with your favorite fruits.  Again, on those special occasions, treat yourself to a limited amount of sweets.  Find an exercise that you enjoy.  If you have a tight schedule with family, work, and other demands vying for your attention, consider short 15 - 30 minutes exercise sessions five days a week.  Speak with your doctor, or a health professional to see what type of exercise will work best for you.  Read and listen to information that will help you increase your knowledge of healthy eating and exercise.  Select what will work for you and incorporate it into your life style. 
 
 
There’s a litany of health advice that we’ve heard all our lives: drink eight glasses of water, get eight hours sleep, eat an abundance of fruits and vegetables, cut back on carbohydrates; consume less red meat, drink alcohol in moderation, get an annual physical. These pieces of advice are repeated so often that, for most of us, they’ve taken on the quality of mom’s nagging. Truth is, t’s all excellent advice that would do us a world of good to heed, with the added bonus of slowing down the aging process.
 
Take time to go that extra step to look as physically attractive as possible. You don't have to spend a fortune to look nice.
 
Take advantage of sales to buy quality clothing and grooming products. You don’t have to be a fashionista to look your best. If you are a man, enhancing your looks can be as simple as a good shave or a haircut; if you don't want to cut your hair, keep it neatly shaped and trimmed.  Ladies, that favorite lip color is the focal point of your face, highlighting your natural beauty. Sometimes it is the little things that can make a big difference. Get out of the house, go and enjoy yourself. Pick up your local newspaper to find out what is happening in your city or town. Residents of Deerfield turn to the trustworthy Observer Newspaper for happenings in town.  You may also check out the Observer online.  The Observer is excellent with letting their readers know what noteworthy events and activities are taking place.
 
A smile is a natural accessory you can put on in a flash. A smile relaxes the facial muscles and brings a sparkle to your entire countenance. Keep a youthful smile on your face.  When I was growing up in Deerfield there was an older lady by the name of Mary Joyce Philpart  who always had a youthful smile on her face, which made her look ten years younger. A smile does wonders for your appearance.  
 
The last thing is, enjoy life.  Be kind to yourself as well as others.  Don’t over extend yourself.  Do something special for yourself at least once a week.  
Do something kind for others on daily basis, and that includes your family.  If you are a retiree, volunteer a fraction of your time with an organization.  I have a family member (Cousin Gwen) who volunteers at the local hospital.  She enjoys herself while helping and meeting others.  You may not want to volunteer at a hospital; there are hundreds of organizations that need volunteers.  So enjoy yourself as you get older younger.  It is a blessing to advance in years, healthier and more youthfully.