On the whole, people are terrible at embracing their current age. Maybe it has something to do with the constant advertising that we are exposed to or the social pressure that surrounds us.

Investment companies tell us to “plan for the best years of our lives.” Cosmetics companies tell us that the perfect age is always “10 years younger.” If we are 50, they tell us that we were better at 40. If we are 40, then 30 is the magical age. If we are 30 then… well, you get the idea!

Society is also to blame for our feelings of age inadequacy. When we are kids, we are told that we are too young… too young to understand, too young to vote and too young to have a beer. As older adults, we are told that we are “over the hill,” too old to work, too old to wear skinny jeans and too old to learn new things.

Our Internal Age is All that Matters

Of course, the truth is that, while our bodies change over the years, who we are on the inside changes surprisingly little. The “important stuff,” like our personality, dreams, ambitions, character and desires stay constant.

Part of the challenge – and the opportunity – of getting older is learning how to let go of the external and embrace the internal. Rather than looking to society for advice on how we should behave at 40, 50 or 60, we should simply embrace our own internal compass and live life in our own way.

I think this is what Louise Hay meant when she said, “Know that you are the perfect age. Each year is special and precious, for you shall only live it once. Be comfortable with growing older.”

You Are the Perfect Age

Today, I invite you to take a look in the mirror and tell yourself, “I am the perfect age.” Every time you see a TV commercial or movie that tells you that you should try to be younger, remember these words. You are perfect just the way you age!

Do you agree that people spend too much of their lives trying to be a different age? Do you truly believe that you are the perfect age? Please join the conversation.