Have you ever watched Super Soul Sunday on OWN (Oprah’s network)? It features conversations between Oprah and various authors, visionaries, and spiritual leaders. Super Soul Sunday is designed to help viewers awaken to their best selves and discover a deeper connection to the world around them.

I find the episodes to be all over the map – some are interesting, and some are way out there. Gary Zukov’s hypnotic voice almost puts me into a trance. But others make me sit up and take notice.

One day I tuned in and Oprah’s guest was Dr. Christianne Northrup, discussing her book “Goddesses Never Age”. Being a woman of a particular age (note this phrase — what is it saying?), my ears perked up.

Getting Older is Inevitable; Aging is Optional

The first thing she said that caught my ear: “Getting older is inevitable; aging is optional.”

Say what?

Oprah often has “ah ha” moments during these interviews, and will call out for a “Tweet tweet”. This was one of many.

Ok, so, the concept: ageless living. Sounds good, sign me up. But what is it?

According to Dr. Northrup, it’s what you experience when you engage in life without fear that you’re going to fall or fall apart.

It means not buying into the idea that a number defines you. Not allowing society to put you in a box based on your age.

It means not buying into the cultural stereotypes about what being a certain age has to mean, like being over the hill.

It means not contributing to the ageism that’s all around us.

It means changing the conversation about getting older to one of celebration and honor instead of complaining.

It means not saying stuff like “…wow, you look great to be ___” — what’s the point of saying that? Is that supposed to be a compliment? I’ve actually called a few guys out for saying that. There’s a whole Instagram account dedicated to this phrase and what’s so wrong with it!

Everything she said resonated and connected with me. It was the message I needed to hear, exactly when I needed to hear it.

We were all blessed with an ageless mind body and soul. It’s up to us to enjoy and appreciate those gifts while we have them, to live fully up until the moment we draw our last breath.

What do you think about ageless living? Is it real or just something boomers came up with to make themselves feel better about getting old? Do tell…