“Aging is a learning process, not a loss. A change in energy or attention doesn’t mean that something is lost; it means that we have a challenge to use ourselves differently. And that is a big difference.” – Stanley Keleman
Sunrise pierced the Montana sky. The world came alive with sound as running shoes slapped against the pavement.
Meet Myrtle Miller — a 90-year-old marathon runner on her morning run. She defies the boundaries of age and redefines what it means to be a resilient human being. Myrtle had run the Missoula Half Marathon every year since she was 77. Her life is a powerful example of how to age gracefully, embracing strength, purpose, and resilience at every stage of life.
Each day begins with a moment of stillness. Myrtle starts with a short meditation, setting a positive intention to learn something new. After her run, she continues with nourishing meals, movement, and walks with friends. Her annual marathon has become a family tradition, uniting loved ones around a common goal and a deeper sense of purpose.
How Old Would You Be If You Didn’t Know the Year of Your Birth?
Myrtle proves that age is just a number. At 90, she achieves what many younger people struggle to do. Her story mirrors those of “SuperAgers” and the centenarians in the world’s “Blue Zones.”
SuperAgers are individuals over 80 who maintain cognitive and physical abilities comparable to those of much younger individuals. MRIs even show they experience less brain volume loss than their peers. Likewise, Blue Zones, regions like Okinawa, Sardinia, and parts of Costa Rica, are home to unusually high numbers of people who live past 100.
People like Myrtle, SuperAgers, and those in the Blue Zones don’t measure life by the number of candles on a cake. So what’s their secret?
Well, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the question. It goes beyond genetics or demographics. It blends various powerful habits and behaviors that keep these adults healthy and fully involved in all aspects of life. Their incredible life expectancy doesn’t come from struggle and toil. Instead, they pay attention to what results they get from their actions. Rather than labeling life experiences as mistakes or failures, they redirect unskillful efforts and make different choices; they try new things and notice the changing results. They create a well-balanced life of cooperation, relationships, and joy. They live purposefully, facing challenges with openness and a willingness to learn.
Aging is inevitable—but how we age is not.
One of the benefits of aging is the knowledge and wisdom gained from life experience. With greater intelligence and efficiency, we can utilize those experiences to navigate life more effectively. What we learn from our experiences can help us create a life that fosters independence, ensures mobility, and even prevents or decreases the number of falls.
Assessing the Habits That Influence Ageless Balance
Assessing our habits: what we do, how we feel, and what we think is the first step in uncovering new ways to achieve a perfect balance within our lives. Grab a pen or pencil and jot down your most honest answers to the questions below. These questions aren’t aimed at judgment—they’re for gaining clarity. They help you understand how your habits either support or hinder your mobility, independence, and emotional well-being.
Take five minutes today to answer the reflection questions. You might discover new ways to support your balance, energy, and overall well-being at any age. No one will check your work. Nobody else even has to see the answers unless you want them to. Date your responses so that later, you can see how you’ve changed.
- What positions are you in most hours of your day?
- What positions do you avoid?
- How quickly are you looking around for a chair to sit down in rather than continuing to stand?
- How many times a day do you sit or lie on the floor?
- Where do you sleep? On a bed, in a chair, or somewhere else?
- Can you walk six minutes without stopping or holding onto a grocery cart?
- Which joint or joints in your body feel stiff?
- How does the fear of falling keep you still or alter your daily movements?
- Have you canceled plans or reduced connections in your community due to fear of falling?
- What do you do (physically, emotionally, and mentally) when faced with a challenge?
- What habits would you change if you were more conscious of them?
- List five meaningful connections (human, animal, or spirit) you experience regularly.
- Do you have pain? Where is it?
- What steps do you take to avoid pain (limit movement/activities, medication: over-the-counter/prescription, hot/cold baths, exercise?
- Do those steps liberate you in your movement or keep you more still?
- How do you handle stress, worry, fear, or concern?
- Pause for a moment, close your eyes, and sit quietly. Notice what conversations and thoughts immediately come into your mind. Do any of them loop back through your mind more than once? After a few arise, open your eyes and jot down the themes.
- How well do you adapt to challenging life experiences, whether they are internally or externally created?
- Can you make mental, emotional, and behavioral changes to cope with these experiences?
- Is your self-talk primarily positive or negative?
- Do you know someone who is thriving as they age? What do you see them doing to age beautifully?
To Live Longer and Healthier, Start With Self-Acceptance.
Living longer and healthier means accepting who you are, with all your positive and negative qualities, habits, and choices. Nurturing positive internal dialogue is not intended to make us feel good about ourselves; rather, it is intended to help us cultivate a more balanced perspective. Instead, it provides a mental and emotional platform, or Base of Support, that can serve as our foundation when we encounter challenges. Here’s to curiosity, connection, and the courage to age gracefully.