Getting Beyond the Fear of Aging

by

Christopher Foster

At [almost] 79, Christopher Foster is sometimes called the oldest new blogger on the block.  You could say he has a bit of practical experience when it comes to aging, the topic of his new online course.

But this isn’t your typical course on aging with tips on how to retire in the Bahamas.  Christopher, who is the writer behind The Happy Seeker blog, offers a unique and profound perspective on aging.

In fact, his course is a gentle challenge to reflect deeply on your attitudes towards aging.  In the process, you might discover you have a few negative, life-limiting thoughts on the topic.  You might even be totally petrified.  No problem because this course is the opportunity to transform fears and limiting beliefs, and discover the true promise and potential of aging.

I’ve been curious about Christopher’s course because, as most of you know, I’ve been a fear-bound bunny most of my life.  Yikes, aging!  I’ve been to nursing homes often enough to know it’s not all wine and roses.  “Is there anything in his course that might allay my fears?” I wondered.

One of Christopher’s purpose in developing this course is precisely to put your fears to rest.  He says,

“I want to share that aging is not something to fear, but is actually an opportunity to experience new meaning and happiness. To experience more deeply the beautiful truth that while our physical body ages, our own true spirit does not age.”

In this youth-oriented, anti-aging culture, it’s easy to avoid, deny, or dismiss aging.  The danger in this approach is being caught off guard and thrown into a panic when our body or mind begins to deteriorate in undeniable ways.  There is no question about it:  this deterioration will occur.  For some, it will be more drastic than others, but it will happen to all of us.

Therefore, it makes sense to start reflecting on the aging process now.  In fact, it’s never too early.

Why do we age anyway?  Perhaps there’s a higher purpose for all this and a way to gracefully navigate the rough waters to discover our true home.  That’s precisely the essential message of this course.   At the same time, the lessons touch upon all three aspects of body, mind, and spirit because they are intricately interlinked.

The True Promise and Potential of Aging

Christopher’s course is called: How to look (and feel) 10 years younger in 4 weeks, the true promise and potential of aging.

This is what I liked about this course:

  • thought-provoking yet upbeat and inspiring
  • bite-size, manageable modules
  • go at your own pace
  • helpful journaling exercises
  • a workbook to help you integrate and apply the lessons
  • helpful tips on creating new habits
  • an option for personal coaching if you would like additional support

The course includes eight modules – presented as eight steps – and a workbook.  The 8 steps are as follows.

  1. Changing Your Mind About Aging
  2. Aging – the Secret to Happiness
  3. How to Deal with Difficult Feelings (and Find True Bliss)
  4. Make Wisdom Your Ally
  5. The Free Facelift, or How to Look As Young as You Feel
  6. How to Establish New Habits the No-Sweat Way
  7. The 10 Timeless Joys of Aging
  8. Integrity – Antidote to Fear

Modules five and six were written by Mary Jaksch,  Zen master, psychotherapist, author and blogger at Goodlife Zen.

As you might guess, my favorite module was number eight, the supreme antidote to fear!  In this lesson, Christopher poses three essential questions that will be waiting for you at the end of your life.  The secret to happiness is to start asking those questions right now, no matter what your age might be.

One of the insights that I took away from this course is the idea that there’s a higher purpose to the deterioration of the body.  In my spiritual tradition, the body is considered one of the three basis of clinging.  Clinging is precisely what brings about suffering and unhappiness.  As our body functions begin to naturally decline, there’s a danger of clinging to the wish for youthfulness instead of naturally releasing into this new phase of our life.  Aging is a gradual way to prepare us for the big letting go that comes at the moment of death…if we are willing to face it openly and work with it consciously.

Christopher’s message is simple yet profound:  true happiness is your birthright and you can discover it at any age.  This is a sweet, delightful, yet thoughtful course that will help you transform your fears about aging, bring more happiness into your life, and get closer to your true self.

Christopher is offering a reduced price on How to look (and feel) 10 years younger in 4 weeks, the true promise and potential of aging until May 27th.  If you would like to explore the true promise and potential of aging, please consider this special course or recommend it to a friend who may be struggling with the process of aging.

Have you taken time to think about aging?  Are you comfortable with the process of aging or do you also harbor concerns about it?  Do you have any secrets to share about aging gracefully?

If you enjoyed this article, please share the link using the share buttons below.  And, if you have a moment, please visit the Always Well Within Facebook page.  Thanks for your support!  May you be well, happy, and safe.  ~Sandra

25 thoughts on “Getting Beyond the Fear of Aging”

  1. I always treasure your recommendations of other blogs, Sandra. I don’t have the time to find all the good stuff, and here you are, pointing it out!

    I’m fine about getting old, and dying too. I completely wish to follow the Bodhisattva path. If and when I get there, I want to help others cross with more wisdom and less discomfort.

    • It’s an honor to be of service to you in this small way. :)

      Your aspirations are inspiring. I’m with you on wishing to following the Bodhisattva path. It’s a great person that helps others pass with more wisdom and less discomfort.

      I admire your comfort with aging and dying too! I’m not there yet, but I’m getting closer with each small step I take.

  6. Sounds like a great program.
    Being able to let go of stress and the pressure of aging will in itself make a huge difference I believe.
    Thanks a lot for sharing this reasource.

  7. Hi Daniel,

    What a wonderful point. When we let go of our worries about aging, it does take a lot of pressure off, doesn’t it! That alone makes a big difference.

  8. Hi Sandra — yes, this is a useful topic for me to think about, because I tend to approach life from a place of “making my mark” or doing something great, and it’s useful for me to remember that anything I accomplish will ultimately pass away with time, and that the search for significance is futile. That’s a harsh but liberating truth.

  10. I think that in order to be comfortable with the aging process we must first be acquainted and comfortable with who we really are. We are not our thoughts, words or deeds. We are not our accomplishments or the job titles we have had ot the things we do.

    I know I would not be comfortable with the aging process if I were not internally tuned in. I also know that if I was not eating properly and doing the best I can to promote my own physical, emotional, and mental well-being that I wouldn’t be as comfortable with aging as I am.

    Losses such as health, friends, spouses, pets, vigor, flexibility, and so on accompany aging. Aging graciously requires resilience and coping skills, but even more so, it requires planning and preparation.

    When we age the location we live in and it’s proximity to shopping, medical, dental and professional services, transportation routes, as well as our home and how it’s set up will become very important. The time to make any adjustments is well in advance.

    We are wise to do the best we can when it comes to financial planning no matter how niggardly our income is now or will become.

    We are also wise to take action now to create digital copies of items like documents and photographs and store them online. (I have blogged about free ways to do this on this one cool site.)

    We ought to consider what our passing will be like for those we leave behind and make and pay for all our final arrangements and disposition in advance. We ought to make not only last wills and testaments but also living wills. All of these preparations will not only allow us to age gracefully but will also ensure those who will be helping us in our final years, months, hours and days, and grieving our demise are not burdened with making decisions on our behalf.

    These are some of the things my husband and I have been taking care of. Despite our concern about our financial situation and no viable ideas at all about how to improve it, each step we take towards planning for our future as elderly people makes me feel more comfortable.

    Thanks for your thoughtful post and best wishes to all for a contented and stress free seniorhood. (Is that a word? lol :D)

    • I know that you will also offer a wisdom perspective and I appreciate your thoughts on getting comfortable with who we really are. This is also such practical advice, timethief. I tend not to be a star when it comes to planning and preparation, but I really see the wisdom of taking the kind of steps you recommend here. It’s another way to put our heart and mind at ease. I think this is a good beginning checklist for me to consider and put into action. I’m sure others will appreciate it too. Thank you.

  11. The hardest part of aging is watching my father get older. He’s 18 years senior than my mom and is slowing down but still a ball of energy. So far, that’s been the hardest part for me!

  12. Susan,

    I can understand that, Susan. Seeing our parents vulnerability is like a mirror for us. I’m glad your father’s doing well so far. Thanks for your thoughts.

  13. Sandra,

    I got here at last. I apologize for the delay, my email has been a rapidly growing snowball.

    I just want to express my deepest appreciation for everything you say here. You’ve blessed me personally with your very thoughtful and positive comments regarding my course. But more importantly you hold high the cause of truth.

    And one aspect of that truth I believe, just as you say, is that living and aging (and dying) does not need to be the “burden” we sometimes make it. Surely joy is at the very core of our own true character and we can uncover it at any age. I just love your words. Blessings to you Sandra and thank you.
    wh

    • Christopher,

      I hope that’s a happy snowball effect!

      Thanks for your appreciation. It’s a pleasure to support you, Christopher. I feel honored to know you and admire your dedication to helping others discover their true self.

      Here’s to joy for everyone!

  14. Interesting topic! Several years ago, my word of the year was “prepare.” I understood it to mean prepare to die. I didn’t think it meant I was going to die that year. It wasn’t a premonition kind of message. It was more of a wake up to your life kind of message. As Ann Landers used to say, wake up and smell the coffee. Wake up to life by loving your death. Death is always just a breath away, a heartbeat away. Learning to embrace the nearness of death frees us to live fully and joyfully.

    I think of the Sioux warriors who entered battle with the cry, “Hoka hey! It’s a good day to die!” I don’t think they were suicidal. I think their cry was a celebration of life, the ultimate “be here now” recognition of the exquisite and painfully intense sweetness of this moment, which might be your last.

    I think of my mother, who described herself as “curious” when she faced her death, like Rabelais who, when asked where he thought he was going when he died, answered, “I go to seek a great perhaps.”

    Am I always so at peace with getting old and dying? Nooooo! Do I always remember that death rides like a wise friend on my shoulder, reminding me to pay attention now, to treasure every precious moment that won’t be mine again? No again. But a post like yours is like a jolt, a good jolt out of the complacency I slip back into over and over.

    So thanks! I needed that! Hoka hey!

    • Galen,

      I treasure this comment which is so rich and filled with wisdom. Most importantly, it calls us to look at death in an entirely different light. While I can’t imaging crying out “Hoka hey! It’s a good day to die” I hope I’m moving in that direction gradually. I really appreciate the example of your mother approaching death with curiosity and the thoughts of Rabelais. So excitement, curiosity! Yes, there are other ways to look at death. In my tradition, death is a seen as a profound opportunity when – for a moment – it is far easier recognize our innermost essence.

      Thank you!

  15. Hi

    I will only say that your blog layout is absolut perfect for you. I like it very much. You have worked hard with all your layouts.

    Have a great summer and let the sun shine on you.

    Smiles

    • Thank you, Kojiki! I’m back home to Inuit Types, the theme I love the most. I feel very comfortable here. No more crazy theme-wandering for awhile.

      You blog looks magnificent on your new theme. I love the beauty and freshness you bring to the world.

      Summer is here and I’m enjoying it immensely! All the best to you.

  18. Pingback: Reflections: Musings on Aging… | Mirth and Motivation

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