As we age, we see life in different ways. Life has different reasons and seasons, we see things differently at different stages. Certainly as we gain wisdom and develop our inner-selves, but our body (or as the bible calls it “flesh”) is gradually breaking down. Some might say that youth is wasted o the young because only as we age do we truly appreciate what we had.

In my circle, everyone is fast approaching 50. Milestone birthdays are usually the ones that make us reflect on where we were, where we are and where we are going. At our stage we are getting much closer to the end than the beginning. Is there a legacy? How much time do we have left? Did I do what I set out to do? There are three aspects to think about when determining quality of life. Physical health, mental health and spiritual health.

Recently, a friend told me that she had stated to take care of her physical health. She had started to lift weights because she wanted to be able to play with her granddaughter. Most people take physical health for granted, most people don’t even do anything about it at all until things start to break down. I suppose the old adage “better late than never” would be true here. To draw a comparison, it is like taking care of a sports car. If you maintain it regularly, put premium gasoline in it and keep it in the garage that vehicle should run like a top for many years. The same goes for your human body, watch what you put in it, take car of it and get some rest and it will keep you in better condition than if you hadn’t.

The world of today is so fast paced. It is like all this technology has be designed to bombard you with all the wrong messages. It is an all out assault on your mental health in an effort to get you to buy whatever it is “the man” is selling. Anxiety, fear and stress are at all time highs. I don’t believe we are meant to work as hard as we do, and I also don’t believe we were meant to comb the internet all day comparing ourselves to someone who uses so many filters you wouldn’t recognize them if you walked by them. We are really living in a world of lies. Last year I gave up social media for lent. It did make a difference in my attitude and I found I was much more positive as a result. I have gotten to an age where I need to have peace and take care of my mental health. I realize that I am in charge of what messages I surround myself with and I can avoid things that make me feel negative feelings.

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon tells us that this life is meaningless and nothing but a vapor. Whether we exercise, eat right, get botox, or just take the time to enjoy what we have, ultimately I believe we want to believe that the is more to it than all of that. I believe that as we age the more we want to believe that God exists and that there is something after this brief world tour we call life. Do we have a lasting legacy? Will someone mourn for us? Did we do the best we could with what we were given? As a human, I doubt that I ever really have live up to whatever potential I had, I am human after all. If we could save ourselves we wouldn’t be arguing over plastic straws and punishing people that don’t share our views instead of demonstrating love. As a Christian the biggest hurdle for me to overcome is that I didn’t do what God made me to do on this earth and the fact that I fell below or missed the mark is so upsetting. I just don’t want to let God down. Not because of punishment, but because I don’t want to make Him sad. I was recently reminded of the “love” chapter in the bible. If we can get to the point where we love God as He loves us then we have really struck something worthwhile

“Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. ⁵ It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured. ⁶ It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. ⁷ Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things ” 1 Corinthians 13 4:7 AMP

The next verse goes on to say, “love never fails (It never fades nor ends.)” In my opinion, your capacity to love is the cord that ties your physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing together. Your ability to love as God loves is reflected in how your take care of not only yourself, but also all the people you love. It may even be best reflected in how you treat those that you don’t like or love. Your ability to see the best in yourself and others and also accept yourself and others for who they are. I wish I had have known this long ago, maybe the journey would have been easier, but then again maybe not.