Aging gracefully, actively ... or at least trying

A specific line jumped out: “The sun is the same in a relative way, but you’re older, shorter of breath and one day closer to death.”

The line is literally true. Whether you’re 9 or 99, you’re a day closer to death today than you were yesterday. But instead of being depressed by the line, I was inspired and energized.

Sure, we’re all going to die eventually, but isn’t that all the more reason to start living and living your best life?

Things going on in our vibrant community supported my optimistic view.

In this week’s Bulletin, you’ll find a center section called Active Aging, which has a lot of good information that can help us all age better. For a story in the section, I had the good fortune of interviewing Hannah Cole and some of the dancers at her SOL Ballroom. The dancers are of all ages and abilities, but each of them found a healing power in dance, and it was reflected in the smiles on their faces.

On our front page, you’ve got the irrepressible Marci Dickerson, one of a group of Cancer Warriors for Las Cruces, who have decided to turn the pain and struggle of their cancer journeys into something that can help others.

Starting soon in Doña Ana County are the Senior Games. We had a program in our Feb. 10 edition, listing all the different events and opportunities for people 50 and older. It’s a great way to hold yourself accountable to your exercise, but also, according to everyone I’ve talked with regarding the Senior Games, it’s also an important social exercise, a place where people have made friends for life.

Of course, you don’t have to be part of something organized to stay young at heart. My colleague Christy Anchondo has a small bumper sticker on her vehicle that says simply, “Beat Yesterday.” Christy is an avid bicyclist and runner, but she’s not trying to set any world records. She’s following the advice from her Garmin watch, which tracks her exercise, to try and do better than yesterday’s time.

Also in this week’s Bulletin is a piece about Families & Youth Innovations Plus, the LC3 Behavorial Health Collaborative and Apple, working with people in the community to create a mental health app. There’s been an increased focus in our society on mental health awareness, probably something that’s overdue. This app could help people work on their own mental health.

Every week in our publication, we have information on events that are great things to get you out and get you active. Whether it’s going to an Aggie softball game, attending a local play or concert, or just browsing at the library, doing things either by yourself or with others can help make that one day closer to death better than yesterday.