Hope & Aging Gracefully

Self-Love Series: Installment #4

Hope Matters

Well, hello there, Hope Buddies! I know you’re wondering about this title. Let me tell you; I struggled with it a bit myself, because aging gracefully can mean different things to different people. Various organizations, medical professionals, and writers have defined it. Now, I’m giving my opinion. So, let’s talk about it; shall we?

When I was growing up, I understood aging gracefully to mean allowing time to ravage your body with acceptance. It was often used to describe people who would allow their hair to turn white without coloring it, weren’t concerned about wrinkles, and were okay with the aches and pains that came along with it. However, as a woman in her 40s, my personal understanding of this has changed. Now, let me take time to say however you define aging gracefully belongs to you. I’m sharing my view and how it relates to loving myself. Maybe we’ll agree, and maybe we won’t.

I’ve been thinking about this aging-gracefully thing a lot lately, as my IG and TikTok feeds are filled with folks who’re as young as 20-something talk about waking up with aches and pains, moving suddenly and throwing something out, and perimenopausal women doling out symptoms along with advice (which can be extremely helpful). Occasionally, I’ll see a video of an 81-year-old who’s doing powerlifting or someone in their 50s, 60s, even 70s doing remarkable things with their healthy bodies. (We don’t see nearly enough of these.) Here’s the thing I’ve noticed about the latter group. Not one of them is talking about their aches and pains, but they’re talking about what’s possible, all that they can—not can’t—do.

Here’s the thing. I know I must age and that changes will happen with my body; it’s a fact of life. Yet, how I approach aging is about where my focus lies. If I’m always looking for something not to work like it used to or allowing minor aches and pains to keep me from doing what I can, that’s precisely the life I'll live. Conversely, if I focus on what my body can do and push to increase those levels, that is the life I’ll live.

As I write this, certain areas of my body are aching. We had our first of four community block parties yesterday. And if you’ve never put on one of those, just know it’s a full-body workout. Despite the day I had yesterday and the fact that we have another today, I’m still going to get my morning workout in. Why? I know my body can handle it despite its age, aches, and pains.

Aging gracefully, to me, means that I will age in good health. Work out to maintain my physical stamina, so I can dance like nobody’s watching for the rest of my life in a pair of high heels 🤭; continue to learn and protect my mental health, so I can think and make decisions for myself the rest of my days; eat the things I know make me the healthiest me, so my body can look like I love it; nourish my soul through Bible study and spending time with God, so I can love myself and His people better.

It’s nice when people incorrectly guess my age (lower, of course 😏), but that’s not the aim. The aim of my aging gracefully is that I can live the life I love and use that life in service to others.

Hope Buddies, I encourage you to figure out what your meaning of aging gracefully is. And as you do that, make sure it’s giving self-love not self-letting-go.

💜,

Parthenia

Coffee Matters

Listen here, Coffee Buddies, I just finished this bag of coffee from French Truck Coffee. It was a Colombian microlot, and I paid a pretty penny for it. Let me tell you this bag of Grand Cru Colombia Pink Bourbon was worth every cent

The notes listed on the bag are sparkling, honeydew melon, silky, honeysuckle, and tart plum. This coffee is heavy on the fruit. As a matter of fact, the mouth feel is quite juicy. That’s the only way I can describe it. 🤷🏾‍♀️ Lots of the melon is coming through. However, and this might sound bad but, I let a cup sit neglected in my car for a few hours. When I came back to it, I got a strong hint of a liquor or liqueur. I guess that’s why the bean is called a pink bourbon. 🤭

It was such a delicious cup of coffee. Regretfully, French Truck isn’t selling it any more. They have a new Grand Cru microlot that this bag of coffee makes me feel pressed to try.

In what ways are you aging gracefully?

I appreciate you taking the time to read this hopeletter about my life and coffee. Please share with a friend who could use a little hope or coffee recommendation.