The Secret to Aging: Keeping Curiosity Alive

A.I. Images from Adobe Stock

by Skip Cohen
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It's Sunday morning, and I always jump the tracks from my usual topics and wander off, usually into new territory that is NEVER in line with business topics.

Last week, I wrote a post just on my Facebook page. It was April 1, and I realized that it had been 16 years since I resigned from Rangefinder Publishing/WPPI and started my own company. The response from friends was remarkable. A few days later, I shared a post about the Alzheimer's event I was involved with in Sarasota. That post resulted in a phone call from an old friend who simply said, "You just don't slow down, do you?"

In the process of deciding what I wanted to share this morning, scrolling through Facebook, there was a quote from Anthony Hopkins:

I am fully aware of my mortality, but at 87 years old, I still wake up every morning with the desire to misbehave. Age is not a barrier when you find passion in what you do. The real secret lies in keeping your curiosity alive, continuing to learn, and not letting the fear of time stop you from enjoying life. Every day is a new opportunity to create, to laugh, and to show that it is never too late to move forward with enthusiasm and joy.

As I've gotten older, my priorities have changed. I've learned to hit the mute button on the "negators" in my life. I've accepted that I creak for ten minutes when I get up every morning. I'm well aware that I sleep better when we eat dinner early, and I finally understand my grandparents, whom I made fun of as a kid for eating at 5:00! My list of growing limitations goes on, but one thing NEVER changes - my passion for the day ahead.

My passion for life is right in line with Anthony Hopkins' comment about curiosity, learning, and not worrying about growing older. But I couldn't do it by myself. It all starts with Sheila's support and, here and there, a kick in my ass reminding me to "stand tall." Then there are two pups, Lucy and Belle, who expand my cheerleading squad. Finally, expanding my support team, there are some amazing friends, most of who are part of this incredible industry I stumbled into so many years ago. 

And here's my point this morning. Aging ain't pretty, and it's not easy, but the greatest lesson I've learned in life is that none of us are alone. We can't stop the clock, but we can slow it down by taking the time to savor every moment and keeping curiosity alive. Taking time to smell the roses, isn't just an expression, but a solid rule to live by.  

Wishing everybody a day ahead that's filled with passion, reflection, and curiosity. Don't waste time worrying about tomorrow and missing today. Take the time to laugh, not just a light chuckle, but one of those from the gut laughs that fuel more laughs and smiles. And when you're giving one of those eleven-second therapeutic hugs to someone you love, think back to a time you two were together that made you both laugh.

"It's never too late to move forward with enthusiasm and joy!"

Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world.

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