Are you already old?

Why do some people seem prematurely old, while others seem youthful even as octogenarians?

Youth is a period of open-ness. New things are waiting to be tried, new experiences to be had, places to be explored, and skills to be learned. The world seems to hold limitless possibilities.  Old age is the opposite: one's world is closing down.  There seem to be few new skills that can be learned, experiences that can be had, or possibilities for the future.

This is entirely in the mind.

I've heard people young and old say, "Oh I could never do that", and "No I wouldn't dare to try that", and "I don't think I could ever learn how to..."

These blocks are not physical. They are mental - or even spiritual - and reflect your worldview.

While you are still willing to engage with the world and explore its novelty then you are young. As soon as your sum of perceived limitations exceeds your sum of perceived future possibilities then you are old.  This can happen at age 30, at age 70, or it can never happen at all.

If you find yourself saying "I could never do/go/learn xxx" then check in with yourself:  is what you believe actually true?

Stay open. Keep exploring your world.

Whether you think you can, or you think you can't - you're right.

    - Henry Ford

One of the greatest discoveries a person makes, one of their great surprises, is to find they can do what they were afraid they couldn't do.    - Henry Ford