the hot goddess

Midlife Inspiration for Growing Older

“You’re no older than you feel. Stay young. Go on and do something and take your mind off getting old.”

Ida Keeling at 103
Source: Essence Magazine
Essence Magazine featured centenarian Ida Keeling in an article on aging in 2018. I took a photo of this page in the magazine while I was sitting in a hair salon in Ohio six years ago, and have kept this on my phone ever since as a reminder of the power of attitude. (That, and I need this red leather jumpsuit in my life.)

Raised in New York City’s Harlem neighborhood, Ida Keeling started running at the age of 67. She eventually set several world records in her age groups, including her first, the 60-meter world record, at 92. Keeling went on to set subsequent records in the 95-99 and 100-104 age groups, setting another 60-meter world record at 102. Her memoir, Can’t Nothing Bring Me Down: Chasing Myself in the Race against Time, was published in 2018.

Keeling died three years ago this month, on August 28, 2021, at 106.

Source: Amazon.com

Like my father and many Black Americans of this generation, Keeling suffered poverty, hardships, and trauma. Yet — despite even the unthinkable devastation of losing two sons in separate murders — she triumphed over circumstances, loss, and grief with inspiring determination and grit.

Keeling at 100, working out with her daughter/trainer in New York.

Source: Elias Jerel Williams for
The New York Times

Despite her exceptional discipline, Ms. Keeling allows herself one indulgence. “This is putting gas in the car,” she said before downing a tall shot of Hennessy.

Source:  At 100, Still Running for Her Life, by Noah Remnick, The New York Times

At 64, I’m told by the faceless folks who make the age rules that I have six more months left to accurately use the “midlife” label. Then, at 65, I will become a “senior citizen.” I’m good with that, especially because that’s when all the discounts start kicking in here in Portugal and elsewhere.

But don’t look for THG to change its blog tagline in six months. I will forever be in midlife here. In fact, I feel younger and more vibrant as an expat/immigrant in Portugal than I did before I retired five years ago in the U.S. Yeah, more aging stuff is making itself known here as my body marks the passing years. But those mechanical issues can’t compete with a new-and-improved mental attitude that is healthier, more self-aware, positive, joyful, and confident than ever before.

We wear many labels. While “runner” will likely never be one of mine, I am excited to see how my list of labels continues to change and expand throughout midlife and beyond. Since retirement, I’ve added “solo traveler,” “bourbon-maker,” “distillery intern,” “blogger,” “expat,” “immigrant,” “language-learner,” and “Portuguese-speaker“(-ish) to my evolving list of labels. I see a couple more in the near future, because my most transformative label is “lifelong learner.”

Trying to reintroduce “piano-player” on my newly purchased teclado (keyboard) in Portugal.  For now, it’s “piano-practicer.” More on this later.
Nope. Not “golfer.”
But yes to “astrophotographer“

Thank you, Ida Keeling, for reminding us of what’s possible with perseverance and a positive attitude.

“She showed us that you can take your life and turn things around just by taking that first step forward.”

Zakia Haywood, runner and Keeling family friend
Source: www.womensrunning.com

It’s never too late to start something new. Running a race. Discovering a passion. Learning a skill. Making a move. At any age. There is never a wrong time to take the right path.

Thank you for reading! ❤️ May your weekend find you celebrating first steps, however small, on a path that’s right for you.

The Hot Goddess

Instagram: retired_rewired_inspired

Featured photo of runner on a beach is from Pexels Free Photo Library

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43 comments

  1. Good morning beautiful lady,

    Thanks for the inspiration today. I will be 65 in a few months and I’m learning more about myself and what I want to do the rest of my life. Keep doing well!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Thank you so much! 💜 Happy early birthday, and kudos to you for your self-discovery and awareness of what you want. It sounds simple, but that was difficult for me to do. Such an empowering step. Best wishes on your journey. I appreciate your kind well wishes!

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      • Thanks again for your support. I will take everything deliberately and not make any irrational plans. So far I have begun to define my new purpose and enjoy every moment. Living life to the fullest

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Hi Natalie,

    You hit the nail on the head with another inspiring article. Since retirement I have been thinking out of the blue all the things I used to do as a child that brought me joy and happiness. Thanks once again for inspiring me to relive my childhood again.

    Liked by 3 people

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  5. I’m fascinated with all the new “Happiness Research — especially for folks like Ida Keeling who haven’t necessarily had easy lives. I think those people are the real heroes! I love your comment too about feeling younger now than you did five years ago. I’ve often wondered about location and what that does for us. I suspect that’s one reason why when I finally retire we’ll move from where we are now. It’s nice and certainly pleasant but in this day and age we have too many wonderful options to pursue! Keep enjoying Midlife!!!!!

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  10. Being a life learner is the key, and you don’t have to be good at it.😄I think just remaining open and curious about the world and people keeps you mind alive. I remember seeing commercial saying as you get older your world gets smaller. I refuse to accept that. I will be 65 years old in four months and I pray that I am able to continue expanding my world and mind. Here’s to being seniors. 🥂

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  11. Great article, great comments. Just a shout out from those of us ignoring ‘retirement age’ and keeping on working. If you love your job, as I do, and have the choice, why stop?! Doesn’t mean I can’t also enjoy visits to my apartment at the beach on the Silver Coast – enjoy both worlds if that works for you!

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  16. Of course, I love everything about this post and have been enjoying it for a few days. I’ve forever been inspired by “older” people living their best lives and now I am catching up. 😄🙌🏻 I haven’t golfed in a few years – would be fun to golf with you. 🏌🏻‍♀️

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Thank you, my inspiring friend! ❤️ I don’t know why it took me 60 years to give myself permission to live a life I love, but stories such as Ida Keeling’s keep me keeping on. I love how you are “catching up,” using your multi-faceted creative genius in so many different ways. If we golfed together, I’m betting there’d be a lot of giggling going on. I can’t help but laugh at myself 😅.

      Liked by 1 person

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      • I am certain there’d be a lot giggling going on, no matter what the venture and I also know we could talk about this subject for days. I do think the “giving self permission” goes against what most of us were taught, at home then reinforced by society. Swimming upstream ain’t easy! 🤗

        Liked by 1 person

  17. A great post to remind us all that age doesn’t matter as much as our attitude to life. I love your label, life long learner, can I borrow it? I have tried so many sports and failed at most, but trundled through them all with a smile on my face. Ida Keeling’s story reminded me to keep trying. My sport of choice is Crossfit, which I love because I meet people of all ages and walks of life, and most importantly they make me laugh.

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