When I was younger (much younger!), I felt sorry for people in their 40s, 50s, and 60s.  At that age, what’s the point of trying anymore, right?

I remember reading an article in one of my mother’s magazines about a woman in 40s who had been obese all her life, but miraculously managed to lose all the weight she wanted to.  She was so happy that she joined a tap dancing class (her life’s dream) and bought all new clothes.

I was 15 or 16 at the time.  I remember thinking that it was kind of sad how she was running around doing all these things as a skinny person, when at her age she might as well have continued to overeat and enjoy herself.  After all, what does it matter what clothes a woman wears in her 40s, right? She’s old, for crying out loud.  And as for tap dancing classes?  I almost writhed in embarrassment on her behalf.  How ridiculous was that at her age?

Yes, I should have been slapped.

But how many of us, consciously or otherwise, carry around with us the identity of what we used to think our age meant?  For example, if you’re 60 today, do you have in the back of your mind the thought of what being 60 years old meant to you when you were 15?

Also, how many of us have it in our heads that our income-earning lives end at 65?   After that, we either drift into retirement bliss, or if we haven’t prepared for retirement, we’ll spend the rest of our years scrabbling around in poverty.

Why must we think this way?

Many people are remaining strong and vital well into their 80’s, and even into their 90’s.  Just a few weeks ago, I had lunch with a businessman in his 80’s.  He had just returned from a golfing trip in Scotland.  He’s just as busy planning and running his business as if he were a much younger man.

If you fall into the trap of thinking that there isn’t much left, so why bother, consider this.  Let’s say you’re 21 years old, just starting out.  How far along could you be by the time you’re 30?  Not how far would be you along, but how far could you possible get?  Could you build a fortune?  Buy a dream house?  Write a book?  Find true love?  Get into the best physical shape of your life?

Has anyone else started out at the age of 21 and accomplished big things by the time they were 30?  Granted, not everyone has.  But some have.  Therefore, it’s possible.

How old will you be in 9 years?  Do you plan on still being alive?  You’re going to age these 9 years anyway, so why not keep pushing forward on your dreams?  Just decide that you’re 21.

Okay, I know you don’t have the energy of a 21-year-old.  But can you do anything to increase your energy level so that at least you’re closer?  And you might be in pain or have other health limitations.  Can you proceed anyway?  After all, those 9 years are going to pass anyway.  At the end of the 9 years, do you want to have achieved what you’ve always wanted to, or do you want to be in the same place you are now, only 9 years older?

Don’t accept any other definition of what it means to be your age except for the definition you choose.  I’m so grateful I have the good sense to tell my 15-year-old self to shut up and behave, because obviously, she has poor judgement.  Don’t let the you of the past decide what it means to be your age.  Don’t let society decide, either.  Don’t let your spouse decide, or the media, or the health professionals.  You decide.