News flash -- It occurred to us that we are going to die someday. We pondered this revelation for a few minutes, looking for options, but saw no way around it. So, conceding to the obvious, we started looking for ways to make the most of the remainder of our visit on this planet.  

We finally settled on the emotional compromise that we have some control over when we die and how we live. Ah, choices…sounds pretty simple, but this is definitely a biggie, especially if we believe that our extended stay and “lifetime guarantee” might last only 30 more years. You guessed it--we are Boomers and seniors, wanting to make the most of our remaining lives. And we don't care to "act our age," thank you!

Ever heard of "ground rush"? When you jump from a plane at 12,000 feet, you feel the sensation of falling; however, it may not be until the last 3,000 to 4,000 feet that you experience the ground rushing up under you – that’s "ground rush". The point? When you are 20 years old, you probably don't “feel” very close to the end, but when you are much older and closer to “6 feet under,” you can feel it breathing down your neck.    

When speaking with Boomer and senior audiences, we often ask, "How many of you want to live to be a 100 years old or even to 120? We thought at first that we'd see a large show of hands. But, NO! Our audiences didn't want to drag out their last years in agony without dignity. Quality of life becomes the key ingredient…after all, without quality, what good is longevity? When something feels good, we want to keep doing it; when something doesn’t feel good, we have less taste for it.     

Try this one on for size: How old will you feel when you are 60, 70, 80 or 90 years old? Will you feel like 40 when you are 60, or feel like 55 when you are 70, or instead, will you feel like 90 when you are only 70? 

Scientific studies show that longevity is based one-quarter on genetics and three-quarters on lifestyle choices. In our speaking, we have found many Boomers and seniors who do believe they have influence over their Healthy Aging process and lifestyle, and the number is growing each day. They are actively demonstrating their ability and willingness to make healthy decisions that will influence their remaining quality of life, and are leading by example for others.

And you, do you really give a flip? After all, getting older is not for sissies, but getting older is coming! Here is the future as predicted by the U.S. Census Bureau: we and all our fellow Boomers will be moving into our 60’s 70’s and 80’s; over the next 18 years Boomers are turning 65 at the rate of 10,000 per day. This means that just as Boomers, due to their sheer numbers, have for years driven the consumer marketing strategy, now Boomers will also change the face of getting older. They will be the influencers on aging--if the boomers all become cliff dwellers, then cliff dwelling would be popular by sheer numbers. Look what happed to blue jeans, cigarettes, jogging and Disco…well, maybe not Disco, but you get the idea!                        

Yep, we Boomers are getting older, but do not want to get old! We are constantly looking for ways to put two pounds of living into a one-pound bag, and for us healthy aging has become our mandatory lifestyle. We find ways to keep it fun, cuz when it’s fun, and more people grow older with us, they will join us in this celebration of healthy aging. As we begin National Healthy Aging Month, we propose that healthy aging is already becoming popular, and fashionable--the chosen lifestyle. Please join us! 

So, if you don’t mind us asking, how old are you and how old do you plan to feel tomorrow?

As photo journalists, public speakers and Seniors, we promote Active Positive Lifestyles and Healthy Aging in America. If you would like us to promote your event or speak with your group or organization, please contact us…we would love to hear from you! 

Positively speaking,
Sheri and Bill Eppright,
Positive Public Image, Inc.