College Essay On Aging

The thought of aging is not void of hesitance given it produces questions deprived of answers in the absence of a crystal ball. Subsequently, aging parallels the unknown; thus, faced with uncertainty adopting a positive perspective remains elusive. Although, it’s preferred to view aging optimistically one cannot escape its negative connotations. Will I be an active agent or isolated burden remains a noteworthy unknown that enervates my optimism. Another consideration leading to my vacillating view on aging is, not knowing to what degree personal competencies and capacities will carry forward, thereby affording autonomy in the elder years. However, as research suggest, the aging process transforms healthy adults into frail ones; thus, dashing one’s hope that such traits will endure (Friis, 2010). Incidentally, at age 48, these lingering questions will soon be answered. In the interim, there is an inherent responsibility to prepare physically, psychologically, and financially for entry into the aging population. Ideally, the goal is to

avoid the typical stereotype that society assigns to the aging population.
To that end, it is the stereotyping of this population that stimulates negative thoughts about aging.

It is difficult at best to think positively when older people are viewed as “incompetent, boring, inactive, dependent, unproductive, weak, unhealthy, passive, ugly, dull, and sad” (Gething, 1999, p. 2). Essentially, a stereotype as such asphyxiates the wind from your sail early in one’s journey into old age. Then again, if the finish line is one of oppression, marginalization, and disempowerment, it’s a race best lost (Ranzijn, 2002). The most poignant negative affiliated with aging unquestionably centers on the end of life concerns. Although, our hope is for a peaceful demise there exists a chance of tremendous pain and suffering. The latter remains my biggest fear, which in and of itself sheds a negative light on aging. Subsequently, I turned to the article, Positive Psychology and Productive Aging in hopes it would provide

answers.
In conclusion, although an extremely interesting article my thoughts on aging remain relatively unchanged. Important to note, aging involves numerous variables to include controllable and uncontrollable factors; thus, to view aging with bursting optimism indicates naivety. My goal is to set realistic expectations that take into account existing medical conditions that will influence the manner in which I age. Two noteworthy concerns include a spinal injury suffered during a fall in 2009, and most recently a cancer diagnosis that required surgery and chemotherapy; the latter is currently underway. Subsequently, these medical conditions have led to skepticism about the future. Nonetheless, I remain committed to achieving a level of health that will ensure a quality existence in my later years of life.