A new study just published, led by scientists from Imperial College London in collaboration with the World Health Organization, states that average life expectancy is set to increase in many countries by 2030 - and will exceed 90 years in South Korea.
Many countries - including Japan as well as many European countries - struggle with issues related to life-expectancy and the increasing number of the elderly.
Both the elderly as well as the societal-political elements of each country deal with health and financial concerns. At the same time, a serious question to be dealt with is: how can each one of us maintain our own quality of life throughout the years.
Numerous articles have recently been published about euthanasia - about taking one's own life. Not only the very old contemplate it, but also the not-so-old who feel their life is "complete", or who wonder "what sense does it make to keep on living?" or believe that they can't change things in their life and (therefore) there is no reason to keep living.
But is it possible for them to understand that they can still continue living with the feeling that their life is worthwhile, that they are doing their best to live life to the fullest, and even - and this is the hard question - that no matter how "old" or "young" they are they can still embark on a quality of life they might not have the knowledge and/or the courage to embark on previously?
It is never too late to reflect and contemplate your life experiences, failures and accomplishments, and do the best you can to live your life to the fullest.
Regardless of whether you are "young" or "old" - which is often a matter not only of chronological age but also of inner feeling! - you can (and should) continue to actualize yourself as much as you can for as long as you can.
What does "actualize" yourself mean?
The "secret" to fulfil yourself throughout your life is to understand and realize how to live your life to its fullest; how to be aware of the ways in which you might have sabotaged yourself; and to learn how you can still, regardless of your age, learn from past mistakes, become aware of what you would still wish to experience. Whether it is intimacy, travels, writing, companionships, and more, the main issue is how to live to the fullest and accomplish what you desire.
One of the best means to actualize yourself and live to the fullest is by developing Self-Awareness: realizing how you might have previously shot yourself in the foot, and acknowledge the changes you need to make in order to stay away from your past mistakes, and direct your attention to the here and now, hoping for a good living for as long as you can.
What does "becoming aware" entail?
It is quite likely that throughout your life you have never taken the time to really look inward; understand what might have stood in your way from achieving whatever you might have desired, be it a successful intimate relationship, be it writing a book, be it developing a meaningful friendship, and so on.
It might well be that - as an example - you have had a satisfying relationship in the past, but for the last several years, since your separation, or having your spouse passed away, you were not successful - for some reason unknown to you - in finding and developing another intimate relationship with which you would have been satisfied. Maybe you have dated many others but with no success; maybe you didn't date because you weren't sure of yourself; or maybe you did date but "somehow" never found another person to whom you felt close enough.
Becoming self-aware means: Becoming aware of what this "maybe" might mean; realizing what you might have done or thought that didn't land you the relationship you desired.
Becoming self-aware means: taking responsibility for your attitudes and behaviors; understanding how you might have sabotaged yourself and your potential relationships; realizing how you might have used one thousand and one excuses to justify your failure in pursuing a truly new intimacy.
Regardless of your age and past experiences, it is never too late to develop Self-Awareness and learn how to improve and enhance your quality of life and relationships. And the sooner you begin with the process of awareness the better it is for your well-being.
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