(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)

 

This Distinction zeroes in on attitude rather than years. Sure, you will age, but old is a function of more than the calendar.

I got to see this up close when a long-time friend started ‘getting old’ before age 40! He fretted about no longer being the golden boy of his early adult years. He noticed, and commented on, his ailments and, later, his frailties. He retreated into ever more self-destructive behaviors and ‘joked’ about dying young. He didn’t. He lived almost to 70, by most reckonings a decently long life. But he was old the whole time.

Another dear friend, at the age of 84 was still carrying her own suitcase (on wheels) on and off tour buses, planes, and trains as she continued to enthusiastically travel the world. She said, “I want to see what’s next.”

One of the above folks was smiling most of the time and the other was mostly frowning. Guess which was which.

 

Coaching Point: You can’t stop the clock, but you can always choose – do you want to age or be old?

 

Copyright 2018 Steve Straus. All rights reserved.