Last week, I celebrated another year of life—my birthday. Every year until now, I’ve felt excitement as the number shifted, happy to be moving through life’s unfolding. But this year was different.
Turning 40, I noticed something new—resistance. Not because I believe 40 is old (in fact, I now see 80s and 90s as full of possibility!), but because I wanted to stay in my 30s just a little longer. To hold onto a familiar stage, to stall time for a moment.
Now, a week later, I feel at ease again. The truth is, aging is a privilege denied to many. No matter how easy or difficult, joyful or painful, light or heavy life feels at any given moment, it is a miracle that we are here at all. To continue evolving, to witness the shifting seasons of ourselves, is a blessing.
Why Do We Resist Aging?
Sometimes we resist aging because we are attached—to youth, to an identity, to a certain version of ourselves that we’re afraid to leave behind. Other times, we resist it because we feel behind. Like we should have achieved more, done more, become more by now.
But the truth is, we are never behind.
Life is unfolding exactly as it should for our highest growth and evolution. There is no universal timeline we must adhere to—no one right way, no rigid schedule we must meet. Your timeline is yours, and it is perfect for you.
Ayurveda teaches that we all have a unique constitution, a unique path, and a unique rhythm to life. Some experiences come early, some later, but all arrive in the perfect timing for our soul’s development. Trusting this brings peace. Fighting it brings suffering.
Aging and Ayurveda: The Possibility of Longevity
In the Vedic traditions including Ayurveda, Yoga, and Jyotisha (Vedic astrology), we are taught that the body is designed to last 120 years in good health. While we accept that there will be changes over time, with intentional care—through daily routines, nourishing foods, and practices that support mind, body, and spirit—we can remain sharp and mobile well into our 100s. Aging does not have to be a decline; it can be an evolution, a deepening of wisdom and vitality.
But Ayurveda also acknowledges another layer—the realm of karma. We each come into this life with a purpose, unique experiences to live, and a timeline that is already mapped in ways we may not understand. Some of us are here for a long journey, while others are meant for a shorter one. And the truth is, we never truly know when our exit will come.
Presence in the Everyday
Every day is new. Every day may be our last. And every day is a gift.
The challenge is remembering that in the mundane moments of life. It’s easy to get caught up in the routine, to move through days on autopilot, forgetting that each moment is fleeting, each breath a gift.
The Vedic teachings, including Ayurveda and Yoga, remind us that suffering comes from attachment—attachment to what is, what was, what could be. But what if we practiced something different? What if we approached life with acceptance, appreciation, and presence?
Aging is not something to resist but something to embrace. May we live each day fully, creating a life that feels meaningful—not someday, but now.
Thank you for being part of this journey with me, in all the ways that you are.
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