48.5 is the NEW 48.5

Today is my 48 ½ birthday…woo hoo. Why don’t more people celebrate half-birthdays?

48 ½ is considered by a lot of people to be, well, *over the hill*, *past prime*, *no spring chicken*, etc.

I remember sitting in class when I was 15 and thinking about the year 2000. I knew that I would be turning 32 that year which sounded incredibly old. I envisioned myself “settled” with a job, a husband, and 3 or 4 kids having achieved what I wanted in life. Nothing left to do, I guess, but wait it out until the end. Seriously, I did not think there was anything left to look forward to after age 30.

It’s hard when you are young to imagine that you will still feel passion, and have goals and big dreams when you are “old” (like 32!).

Yet here I am at 48 with all sorts of excitement about both my current life and my future.

I feel 48 years young. I don’t look as young as I did in my 20s and 30s to be sure, but I am truly at my most fit and am more content with my body than I have ever been. AND I’m not done. I haven’t even peaked.

Does that sound conceited? Maybe it is.

Or maybe...

I’m just so damn passionate about the idea that we, each and every one of us, are shaped (mentally, emotionally, spiritually *and* physically) by our beliefs.

Our bodies are in a constant state of renewal. Quite literally, my body is not 48 ½ years old…it’s regenerating all the time!

So how is it that some people seem young at 50, 60, 70, and beyond and others seem so weighed down by the burden of living?

Obviously, the way we take care of our physical body is influencing how we age, but our beliefs are playing a major role as well. Beliefs are powerful drivers of behavior, so if you believe that you have some control over how you age, you are that much more likely to take good care of yourself.

But it’s more than that.

As Deepak Chopra puts it, “You are writing your own life story. Your body is the physical projection of your story.”

What is your story??

Do you have a lot of fear and dread about getting older? Do you feel the best years of your life are behind you?

The narrative that runs through your head and is occasionally spoken out loud is manifesting in your physical health and your emotional well-being.

The happy news is that beliefs can be shifted…hallelujah!

The first step in the process is simply to become more aware of your thinking, your words, and your attitude. Just *notice* how you talk to yourself and how you talk about yourself in regards to aging. When you catch yourself being a negative Nelly, see if you can reframe your thought into something more positive.

The positive thought is not necessarily the OPPOSITE of the negative thought. Your reframe should be something that you believe to be true, but less harsh and unforgiving. Try practicing a little self-compassion and feel your energy lightening and your mind and body *youthening*.