Aging and Adversity
Stress and Adversity are two different things. Adversity is the state or instance of serious or continued difficulty or misfortune. Your reaction to adversity is what causes the stress. Here, you do have some control. Every circumstance in life is created by the way you see the situation. What you see as extremely difficult someone else might look at as no big deal.
Often when I talk about aging, I talk about how important it is to have a positive attitude and to continue to grow and lead a rewarding life even in your later years. But I am very aware that doing that is more difficult for some than others due to their life circumstances. Many people through no fault of their own are dealing with adversity such as illness, financial insecurities etc. Even smaller difficulties can affect our moods and desire to do and try new things.
Many studies have shown that constant stress is a negative factor in aging. So, if you are dealing with adversity that is causing you stress, what can you do? Attitude is everything and finding a new view point can change your attitude. Adversity is part of life. Life is thrilling and scary, beautiful and terrible, joyful and sad. It will always be all of those things no matter what we do because it is part of being human. Once we accept this and understand that everything is temporary, that the good and the bad are part of every life, we can look at things with a different viewpoint that can make any situation less stressful. The great Persian poet Rumi says it better than I ever could.
The Guest House
This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.
by Rumi