27 - Our Attitude and the Opportunity of Aging

Summary

Our attitude is something we carry around with us at all times. As the psychiatrist Victor Frankl said, “Our greatest freedom is the freedom to choose our attitude.” Our attitude is determined in large part by the focusing of our attention. If our attention is focused on losses and regrets, our attitude will be gloomy. If our attention is focused on opportunities, such as the opportunity of aging, our attitude will be more positive. This is a fundamental daily choice. Because the world is too multifaceted for us to process all possible perceptions, it is our attention which is critical for the quality of our experience. Our attitude is determined by the object of our attention. And our capacity of paying attention can be exercised and practiced every day. Viewing aging as an opportunity helps to focus the reality that what happens to us is determined in large part by what we do. Paying attention can enhance all of our reserves. Diet, physical and mental activities, and social and family contacts are all critical. Our enhancement of the four reserve factors will increase our chance to be healthy and fit as we age.