“There is no stagnation in Spirit, nor should there be any in our idea of spirituality. To be spiritual is to create! The Spirit is alive, conscious, aware and active.” — Ernest Holmes

A few days ago, I was on the phone with a family member who let me know how proud he was of me.

“We were just talking about how, even at your age, you are still so creative!”

I had just published my fourth book.

I know he meant well by his comment and was sincerely trying to compliment and support me. However, it got me thinking about how some people view the older generation—their parents, grandparents, older aunts and uncles.

I’ve heard it said by many children about their parents, “Mom, you just need to slow down.” They give projections of how life will be for us once we pass 60 or 70.

“Move closer to us, so we can help you when you need it.”

Again, it is all well-meaning.

Just yesterday, someone let me know that our cognitive abilities begin to decline as we age. Yet, at the same time, I am memorizing a one-act, two-person show and a full Stephen Sondheim concert.

I am no different from any of us seniors in my ability to stay alive and creative. But how many of us have bought into the subjective consensus that life and creativity diminish with age?

In The Science of Mind, we believe that “it is done unto us as we believe.” The beliefs held by the majority affect us, and that is why our minds are a sacred treasure chest that should be kept free from limiting ideas. Prayer, meditation, positive action, healthy living, and meaningful engagement all contribute to our well-being as we age.

To tell you the truth, I have never felt as creative as I do now, as I approach my mid-70s. My mind is flowing with ideas, and the implementation of those ideas is an ongoing part of my daily life.

If I had a message for my fellow “senior citizens,” it would be this: Remember that your Spirit never ages. No matter what is occurring in your body as you age, we can age with grace, alertness, and a creative life.

These are not just words but the life I live every day. I have not slowed down, and I look forward to staying vibrant and creatively alive. It is the way we are wired.

I know a 93-year-old and a 101-year-old who exemplify what I am writing about. The key for them is to stay in gratitude, remain curious about life, and stay involved and creative.

This is a possibility for all of us! I know for myself that, as long as I live, I will live creatively because that is who I am as a spiritual being.

Love and Aloha,

Dr. Rita Andriello-Feren, Author, and Co-Founding Spiritual Director of CSL Kaua’i

My new book has just launched in honor of Pride month:https://shorturl.at/3yz93