I recently read this in Prevention magazine, in an article by Lauren Kessler, author of Counterclockwise: My Year of Hypnosis, Hormones, Dark Chocolate, and Other Adventures in the World of Anti-Aging:
A Yale study…concluded that perceptions held by people about aging had more impact on how long they lived than did their blood pressure or cholesterol levels or whether they were smokers. Regardless of age, gender, socioeconomic status, loneliness, or—get this—the actual state of their health, the men and women with positive views on aging lived 7.5 years longer than those who bought into the negative stereotypes. [Read more: http://www.prevention.com/mind-body/emotional-health/one-womans-year-aging-backward?page=3#ixzz2UP0blqtK]Reading that, I remembered my aversion to What to Expect When You’re Expecting when I was pregnant. I specifically requested that no one buy it for me or pass it on to me. Could be just the title rubs me wrong, I know. I didn’t want to be told what to expect. I wanted to have my own experience, be open to all possibilities and be present with each moment.
When I was in graduate school and had joints so swollen that I couldn’t bend my knees, the prestigious medical center at the university came only to the conclusion (after many tests, inspections and injections) that I had arthritis. They gave me anti-inflammitories, told me to lay off teaching aerobics and referred me to a rheumatoid specialist. I rebelled, then juiced, rested and healed. I like doctors. I go to doctors. I just know there is More.
Be a bit of a rebel.
What if common outcomes, results and realities are, in part, mass agreements we have made?… Beliefs that we have solidified by validating them time and again as a society.
Could be good news! It could just mean that to examine what we expect and question what we believe can open us to… to… WHO KNOWS?!
Hi Lisa,
I love your quote, it is brilliant, true and rebellious! Love it!
Much peace,
Nancy