Who gets to define 'older'?

I'm probably showing my age a little bit, but I remember being in elementary school and thinking that all of my teachers were old. In reality they weren't, but they dressed older and very conservatively. So not having any real concept of time and age I thought they were all in their 60s and that seemed ancient. Wow, how times have changed. Styles have changed and people have more choices now in their hair color and clothing styles, not to mention people are living longer and doing more. Nowadays if you are smart you will never try to guess someone's age.

When my kids were in school the teachers all got younger. For that fact, so did the policemen, the firefighters, and the doctors. Maybe it's partly a new reality and partly perception. People seem more active now than when I was younger.

What do they say? 80 is the new 60, and 60 is the new 40? I can't tell you how often I hear people say their age may be one number but in their mind they're still 20 years younger. When I was young the only activities I saw my parents partake in was playing cards. I never saw them do anything active or break a sweat. My mother did play the piano, but always with grace and dignity.

I recently just turned 60, but don't feel like it. My friends say they would never guess that was my age if I didn't tell them - but maybe they're just being nice.

A friend told me a funny story the other day that she was somewhere trying to get some records and a stranger made a comment to her that birth certificates are only online going back a certain amount of time. He said he'd been around a LONG time and knew this for a fact. She asked when he was born and he replied, '1981'. OMG! Seriously? That's the year I graduated from high school. I have news for him, records go back a bit longer than that, lol. He was defining 'older' in a whole new way.

So WHO exactly gets to define 'older'? And who gets to categorize people and label them and what makes them feel qualified to do that? I certainly wouldn't want that responsibility. I'd like to keep my friends, thank you very much.

Do you feel age is just a number? 

Do you let your age define you by someone else's definition?

You're Never 'JUST' Anything

Depending on the source you use it could easily be tabulated that there are over 1 million words in the English language. Amazingly many can be used differently and have multiple meanings. For example, the word 'JUST'. It can be used as an adjective or an adverb; as well there are related synonyms (upright, accurate, exact, honest) and antonyms (biased, untrue, unjustified).

How many times have you heard some one's confidence or self-esteem questioned when they or someone else refers to them as being 'just this' or 'just that'? I've often heard young people say, 'I can't make a difference, I'm just a kid.' Someone at the office might say, 'The boss doesn't want to hear my opinion, I'm just an employee.' Guess what? As long as you're a living, breathing human being YOU have a voice. You have insights, experiences to share, and opinions. Don't ever let anyone, especially yourself, claim that you're just anything.

Never believe that you're just a student, just a mom, just a brother or sister, or just an employee. Give 100% to whatever you choose to do and you'll be more than you think you are. If you're a student then you're the future of our world as we know it. If you're a mom you're one of the most nurturing people a child will ever know. If you're a brother or a sister you have a unique opportunity to be a mentor. If you're an employee you have the ability to be part of something bigger than yourself.

Don't limit yourself by being just something. As well, don't limit those around you. Challenge yourself to be part of the solution rather than a contributor to the problem. Take the time to better know yourself, your hopes and dreams, and your gifts and talents. Choose not to limit yourself to stereotypes. For years the Army has used the slogan, 'Be all you can be.' Give it a try. What have you got to lose? Step out of your box and your self-imposed comfort zone. I know it's scary and intimidating, but anything worth fighting for is going to be.

What's something you're striving for? More importantly how can we help you achieve it?