Paralyzed By A Fear Of Old Age or Death?

Your assignment,
should you choose to accept it, is to go right away to see this movie, "Unfinished Song (Song for Marion)" playing in theaters now. Why? Because if the idea of getting old scares you, and the thought of dying is so terrifying you can't even think of it, or if the fear of losing an older loved one such as a parent or life partner devastates you, you need to get over it! 

My uncle, age 85, is currently in rehab recovering from a massive heart attack, and we spoke on the phone today. When we spoke of his desire to leave a meaningful" legacy" and his new awareness he may not have much time to do it, I said to him, "Life is not a permanent condition." It isn't.

The Buddhists sometimes say, as an affirmation, "I might die today." Does that sound negative to you? Does it make a chill run down your spine? If so, those reactions suggest it's time to face the truth and live more fully in the now. The now is really all we have. Rarely do living beings seek death over life, and if they do it usually stems from brokenness of body or mind. The will to live, regardless of our uncertainty of what may lie ahead, is powerful. If the thought of life ending is frightening, we face a crossroads. Either we can remain paralyzed by fear and resist change, or we can embrace the change and let it teach us. I don't mean giving up and fading away. I mean accepting the wrinkles, graying hair or beard, age spots, creaky joints and other reminders we are no longer young as just so many badges earned by living life fully. Not there yet? God bless, because if you're lucky, you'll get there in time.

"Unfinished Song" features the wonderful, seasoned British actors Vanessa Redgrave and Terrence Stamp as they come to grips with her terminal illness. Sound grim? It is anything but. Oh, you will be wise to bring tissues or a hanky, but truly it's a feel-good movie. My aunt is 88, and when I told her about the film, she said, "Sounds like something we need to see!" I agreed.

If you enjoy this movie, don't miss "Quartet," made by the same people, also featuring elderly Brits struggling with the changes and vicissitudes of growing old. And both films feature amazing music that will bring a smile to your face and joy to your heart.