A Year of Aging with Attitude
Where did the year go? As we close the books on 2024 and look ahead to 2025, let’s take with us some thoughts from Senior Planet interviewees who have inspired us, entertained us, or taught us.
I age with attitude because of the wisdom I’ve learned along the way! I know better. I do better. And I just keep pressing.
Photo: Stacey Holman
Tennis Legend Stan SmithSTAN: I think that God’s given all of us a certain amount of talent and it’s our responsibility to live up to that as much as possible. Also, why is retirement a requirement? I don’t think I’ll ever retire from things I’m doing. If you enjoy the things you’re doing, then why stop? I think my family keeps me young too.
Photo credit: Courtesy of Who is Stan Smith?
Nancy Walker, Senior Planet Sponsored Athlete
My goal is to live independently as I age, and I believe consistent and purposeful movement is one of the main ways to reach that goal.
94 year old action Star June Squibb
I don’t look back. Even when I was younger, I never did. I always look forward to what is going to happen next, what is coming. And I think that has a lot to do with it – because I still do that.
Photo: Richard-Roundtree (left), June Squibb, (right) CREDIT-David-Bolen
Lola Flash, Award Winning Photographer
It’s the way I dress, the way I talk. When I was teaching at a high school in Brooklyn, I loved the energy of the teens and their music. It’s important to have a variety of friends- straight friends, trans friends, white friends, Asian friends, etc. I love swimming at the pool with my dear older women friends We need to check in and share with all kinds of people on this planet.
Photo: Christa Holka
Don Schoendorfer, Purpose Prize Winner
I try to stay physically fit and healthy as I age. Also, I know that with age comes wisdom, but I try to combine this wisdom with the mindset that I am still growing and learning new things.
Photos by Free Wheelchair Mission
Tony Orlando, SingerI think if you start examining aging today as compared to 30 or 50 years ago, people have changed their point of view about getting older. When you look at Mick Jagger work the stage – I don’t think he’s thinking about being older than Tony Orlando. So I don’t think of myself as being an old person.
Photo: Travis Howard
BP: To me, aging with attitude- it’s not a negative description- it’s positive. It means one has principles and one lets them guide their life
Art: Bill Plympton
Want More?
Want more inspiration? Check out Senior Planet’s collection of Inspiring Stories archive here…or explore on your own here.
YOUR TURN
What does aging with attitude mean to you? Share your philosophy in the comments!
Virge Randall is Senior Planet’s Managing Editor. She is also a freelance culture reporter who seeks out hidden gems and unsung (or undersung) treasures for Straus Newspapers; her blog “Don’t Get Me Started” puts a quirky new spin on Old School New York City. Send Open Thread suggestions to editor@seniorplanet.org
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Comments
Would like to know more about the process for the registration, and when and where the registration will be taking place and where is the registration process going on please. I am a senior citizen and I would like to learn more about the processes and I will like to know if the application will be submitted by mail or in person. left school years ago I would like to try again .
Happy New Year 2025! Living and Aging is a process of learning, adapting, forgiving, and putting ourselves first.
I’m growing older and loving it there are so many more things to explore in nature and to discover about myself I’m excited about life, it’s an amazing journey……I’m laser focused on healing and all that’s necessary to accomplish that at this point and time, transcendental meditation, movement, breath work, journaling, sharing, diet/nutrition, nonjudgmental….