EMBRACING LIFE FULLY AFTER 50
By Shelley Whizin
The Unexpected Gift of Mortality
As we navigate through life, especially after reaching the milestone of 50, we become more acutely aware of our mortality. The mirror reflects changes we didn’t expect, and the world around us shifts in ways that can be both disorienting and enlightening.
My chapter, “Are You Ready to Die?” in the book “50 and Fabulous, Navigating Wrinkles, Spasms & Generational Chasms,” is not about death in the traditional sense; it’s about embracing life with every fiber of our being, recognizing the preciousness of each moment.
A Journey to Peru: A Lesson in Living
In 1986, I embarked on a journey to Peru, a trip that forever altered my perspective on life and death. In the stunning landscapes of Peru, surrounded by ancient ruins and the enduring spirit of the Andes, I witnessed the raw beauty of life and the inevitability of death. Little did I know I would later become a death doula, helping people transition from this world to the invisible.
In 2007, I accompanied a dear friend who was in the final stages of her life—a woman who had lived fully, loved deeply, and faced the end with grace. She was 62 years old. It was in the presence of my friend, as she took her last breath, that I truly understood the importance of living each day as if it were our last.
This experience wasn’t just a reminder of mortality—it was a call to action. It urged me to shed the fears and hesitations that hold us back and to engage with the life we have fully, however much or little time that may be.
The Paradox of Aging: Youthful Hearts in Aging Bodies
As we age, society often imposes limitations on what we can do, how we should look, and who we should be. But the truth is, our hearts and minds don’t necessarily age at the same rate as our bodies. We still feel vibrant, curious, and full of potential, even as the mirror tells a different story. This paradox can be both disheartening and comical—a duality that those of us over 50 know all too well.
But it’s precisely this contradiction that can fuel our drive to live more fully. The wrinkles, the aches, and the graying hair are simply the physical markers of a life well-lived, not the sum total of who we are. The challenge is to reconcile the youthful spirit within with the aging vessel it inhabits and to do so with joy, humor, and grace.
Living Fully: A Call to Action
So, how do we live fully in the shadow of mortality? It begins with a shift in mindset. Instead of viewing aging as a decline, we can see it as an opportunity—an invitation to strip away the inessential and focus on what truly matters. This might mean pursuing passions we’ve long neglected, forging deeper connections with those we love, or simply taking the time to savor the small moments that make life beautiful.
In my chapter, I share practical insights and personal reflections on how to embrace this stage of life with open arms. It’s about living deliberately, with the understanding that time is both our greatest asset and our most fleeting resource. We don’t have the luxury of waiting for the “right” time; the time is now.
Are You Ready to Die? Or Rather, Are You Ready to Live?
The question “Are you ready to die?” is not meant to be morbid—it’s a profound reflection on how we choose to live. Are we truly making the most of our time, or are we letting life slip through our fingers, waiting for a tomorrow that may never come?
Much like the Velveteen Rabbit, who becomes “real” through the wear and love it receives, our lives too gain meaning and depth through the experiences and love we share. Though the rabbit may become worn, threadbare, and lifeless, it is in this state that it becomes truly alive, truly loved. As we age, we too may feel worn and threadbare, but it is in these moments, through our connections, our love, and our fully lived experiences, that we become the most real, the most alive.
As you read through “50 and Fabulous, Navigating Wrinkles, Spasms & Generational Chasms,” I hope my story and those of the other incredible authors inspire you to embrace every wrinkle, every spasm, and every generational chasm as part of the beautiful tapestry of life. Because when we live fully, without fear, we’re always ready—ready to die, yes, but more importantly, ready to live.
The book “50 and Fabulous” is available on Amazon.
Shelley Whizin is a transformational life coach and the founder and CEO of the Soul Diving Institute™ (SDI), established to study and teach the art and science of Being Human. She’s also the author of “The Healing Journal”, “The Story of the Magical Baby Grand Piano”, and “What Do You Bring to the Table? A Savory, Sensory and Inspirational Guide to Living a Yummy Delicious Life”. More at www.ShelleyWhizin.com