Henry Ford once said, “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.”[1] I agree wholeheartedly.
But, there are some additional things you can do to help yourself along the way. Here are my top five tips to help you stay young:
1. Have a positive attitude.
Attitude is everything!
Take author and yogi Tao Porchon-Lynch as an example. Tao is 98 years old and still operates her own yoga studio in New York. She’s been teaching yoga for over 70 years. At the ripe old age of 85, she took up ballroom dancing and has won more than 700 first-place awards. People like Tao seem very youthful, no matter what their biological age. I find her so inspiring, and I think you will too!
You can follow this link to see Tao at work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u76yQEdflVM.
2. Seize opportunity when it comes.
As my kids prepared to head off to college, I felt lost. I needed a new focus. Having devoted my entire adult life to mothering, what was I to do when that job came to its natural conclusion?
Alternative medicine was something I dreamed of pursuing because I’d had some successes with it, like:
- Helping one of my kids overcome hyperactivity by diet alone
- Boosting my healing process from skin cancer by supporting my skin with a natural cream
- Showing a friend how to recover from MRSA using an all-natural protocol
When I received an unexpected but timely inheritance, I saw an opportunity to pursue my dream. I went for it and began classes at ACHS to earn a degree in complementary alternative medicine (CAM). I graduated in June of this year.
Taking advantage of this opportunity changed my life!
3. Take risks.
ACHS sent an email stating that they were offering free business coaching. The thought of it made me feel vulnerable. Accepting the offer would mean having a stranger help me plan my business, and it would mean being accountable to follow through on her suggestions. Well, after two weeks of debating with myself, I took the plunge.
Am I ever glad I did! Alumni & Community Programs Manager Stephanie Torres is now helping me to think through and develop a plan for my business. She cheers me on, and keeps me enthusiastic and motivated!
4. Learn from others.
Shortly after I signed up for alumni coaching, I applied for and won a scholarship to the American Herbalist Guild Symposium in Seven Springs, Pennsylvania (It was last weekend, September 29-October 3, 2016). This was a fantastic opportunity to significantly increase my knowledge of herbal medicine. It was also a chance to meet with others who share my interest in holistic health.
The instructors, and many of the attendees, have much more knowledge and experience than I do. That seemed a bit intimidating, to be honest. Having devoted so many years exclusively to parenting, I am getting somewhat of a late start in my career. Nevertheless, I learned as much from their stories and experiences as I do from the coursework.
5. Practice your passion.
Without passion, dullness sets in. Life becomes boring and routine.
My passion for alternative medicine, along with my passion for helping others achieve greater health and well-being, is what drives me. That passion continually pushes me forward, keeping me lively and engaged.
Think back again to Tao Porchon-Lynch. She’s chosen to have a positive attitude, seize new opportunities, take risks, learn from others, and pursue her passions. How might these practices bring fruit into your life?
Staying young is about the choices we make!
This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. This article has not been reviewed by the FDA. Always consult with your primary care physician or naturopathic doctor before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a student of American College of Healthcare Sciences, the Institution that publishes this blog. However, all opinions are my own. This blog may contain affiliate links. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
References
[1] henryford.net (n.d.) Henry Ford – quotes and phrases. Retrieved from http://www.henry-ford.net/english/quotes.html
