My birthday is this week and I’m excited. Yet I know many people, especially women, who dread each birthday like it’s a curse. I always find that a shame, especially since I’m older than many of them. But I become a kid on my special day. And, I don’t “act my age”—period! After years in DoorMatville of trying to fit into the mold I thought I was “supposed to” be in, I now do things MY way, dress in clothes I like, and do things that normally someone my age wouldn’t try.

Why not! It’s MY life and I now live it MY way, with no age barriers. And you know what? Most people think I’m a lot younger than I actually am. So much is in my attitude.

I consider myself young and will continue to do so, despite what number I turn on my birthday! There’s a big difference between getting older and getting old. When I reach 100, I will still insist that I’m not old. Of course people will laugh but, I’ll be the one with the biggest smile from enjoying my life. You can’t stop the clock from giving you another year on your age for each birthday you reach. But you can stop letting that number cloud your mentality.

I read an anonymous quote that said, “Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.” This week I’ll be a year older chronologically, but in my head I’m still young. I’ll celebrate my acceptance of me with all the self-love I feel. It’s a choice to let your age define you! You can change your life because of your age or accept that you’re still you as you get another year older and a birthday doesn’t make you old. YOU make yourself feel old. It’s possible to do remarkable things at any age.

If you don’t believe me, watch the video below of 86-year old Johanna Quaas doing the floor exercises in gymnastics. Remember Aly Raisman’s gold medal performance? While this performance is nowhere near spectacular, as Aly’s, most teens couldn’t do any of what she does at 86 years young! Let her inspire you to grow old with joy, not dread. When you love yourself and your life, you’re never too old to have fun-filled, energetic life!

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Take the 31 Days of Self-Love Challenge–a pledge to do something loving for yourself for the next 31 days–and get my book, How Do I Love Me? Let Me Count the Ways for free at http://howdoiloveme.com. Read my 31 Days of Self-Love Posts from 2012 HERE.

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