I hadn’t actually intended to buy this kindle copy but it popped up as a suggested choice so I took that as a sign that this may be a relevant book for me to be reading. I am thrilled that I did as it is amazing. I am over 50 years old (52 and a half) and although this book is not only for anyone over the age of 50, it does relate to age and very relevant to me personally.
I love the style of the writing and the various quotes, sayings and references that the author has in the book. On one of the beginning pages of the book is a poem by Samual Ullman called youth, I had never heard this poem before and it is lovely. The chapters in the book are divided up into fear of ageing, biological age, chronological age and psychological age, a new kind of youthfulness, mind body and body mind connection, the importance of awareness, insight, intuition, introspection, and the benefits of solitude, food matters, weight loss and exercise after 50 and conclusion.
The author mentions that for him the two most important things are satisfaction and contentment. I can’t agree more. Also, the benefits of ageing are that we are lucky to have the skills we have gained in life and we also have lots of good habits we have picked up along the way. Worrying about our looks is a waste of time and trying to mask our wrinkles in an unnatural fashion will only be a waste of time. Looking after our physical body is not the only important part of ageing but our spiritual and mental health is as important. There are lots of mention about the benefits of ageing and how it differs to our parents generation and our grandparents generation. People are living much longer and expected to continue working longer than before. I like his reference to ageing as age-tastic. It sounds so much nicer.
When we were young children of 10 years old we thought 28 was old and when we were 30 we thought 50 was old. We now know that it is all about attitude and our outlook about age. It can be fun years or not, we need to look at things in a different way.
There is not much we can do about our early lifestyle choices but it is good to realise there is much we can do about our later years. The book mentions thinking about what we want for the next 30 to 40 years. I must confess I never think that far ahead ever. I tend to prefer living in the present moment or at least not thinking or focusing too far ahead but I do appreciate and understand the importance of that question. It is also important for me personally to realise that if I don’t make serious and important lifestyle choices soon, my health will suffer as I get older. This book is sure to make you reflect on your own life and it is a great read whether you are 30 or 70. It will still be relevant and thought provoking.
(book review by Niki Turner)
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