Perhaps more than any advice regarding aging is this one: Listen to your body. Your body will tell you what it needs. In the beginning, things your body doesn’t like will be revealed in aches and pain. Sometimes it’s indigestion or a stiffness. Sometimes it’s a cough or sneeze. Sometimes a headache, unexpected swelling or toothache.  Or maybe an unexpected showing of blood from body parts that should not show such.

 Years ago, I signed up for an Ikebana class, which teaches Japanese flower arrangement. It was during a time when my sons were old enough to care for themselves in the evenings and I have always loved to learn something interesting (in fact I’m presently looking for an interesting class or hobby for my wondering mind). At that time, I had not convinced myself to spend my wondering mind on my education toward a master’s degree. While I explored various classes such as flower arrangement, basket weaving, learning to speak Spanish (I wish I had continued in that effort), it was Ikebana that truly captivated my attention. It seemed to offer a unique perspective on beauty and patience. My teacher, a softspoken Japanese lady would always advise the students as she worked magic with the flowers, leaves, bark, rocks and pebbles “they will tell you what they want in arrangement. Just listen and watch the beauty they will offer to you if you are patient and are open to the language they will expose to you. Over time, I realized that her words applied not only to flower arrangement, but to life itself – patience and openness can reveal unexpected beauty and even warning in everyday moments.

 I noticed that my plants and flowers whether growing from soil or placed in a vase provided beauty when the concepts of Ikebana were followed and I listened by observation. Flowers and plants reach for the sun and only require water and soil their substance in life. Sometimes a little additional source of food is required. However, for the most part, they will grow and flourish with little additional care.

I have used that lesson in regard to my body. I’ve not perfected this goal as yet. However, remembering the Ikebana experience taught me the importance of mindful eating, a lesson I continue to strive for despite the habits formed in my youth. Growing up with three younger brothers, dinner was a lively competition—laughter mixed with the clatter of plates as we rushed to finish the first piece of chicken, driven by the excitement and anxiety of missing out on the coveted few pieces available for a second helping. The games at the dinner table left me with the habit of eating much too quickly, which I believe contributed to digestive issues that have lingered throughout my 85 years. Even after spending the last fifty-plus years attempting to slow down (I guess I’m a slow learner) to savor and truly chew my food, those childhood patterns remain difficult to fully undo. Still, I keep trying, remembering the lessons from those noisy, joyful dinners and the value of truly listening to what my body needs. The burp, the uncomfortable feeling, the stomach bloating are the remaining signs that I sometimes remain in childhood mode when eating as I recognize too late that I’ve filled my plate too full at a buffet or a friend’s home where the food is serve-yourself. Or when I am especially hungry after a day of appointments or busyness.

Sigmond Frued’s theory that “we are not in control of our own minds” seems to continue to work on me regarding food. Like any addiction, I continue to be aware that I have a weakness. All the Pepto Bismal and digestive aids could be perhaps totally eliminated if I could follow what I know is true about my approach to eating food.

Listening to your body applies to all aspects of being a keeping in good health. Between the good doctors in our lives and technology such as AI, we can get and research answers to some or all of the mishaps of growing older. I use both for my issues. And I have body issues as I grow older. Even as I am considered relatively healthy for my age group. My eyes, my hearing, the wrinkles, the arthritis in my left knee and other evolving issues I’m combating with Tai Chi, bowling, and my favorite, walking. I also pay attention to my diet and challenge both my mind and body to stay active. By keeping my yearly check-ups and remaining aware of what my body tells me, I strive to move in a positive direction.”

As well as watching what and how I eat as well as challenging my mind and body to keep going in a positive direction and being aware of what each is telling me. I am reminded that each flower in Ikebana is carefully placed to reveal its unique beauty for the beauty of the full arrangement.  Each stage of aging brings new facets to appreciate our own unique beauty in health if we listen to our bodies.