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It's amazing the length some baby boomers will go to retain that last infinitesimal vestige of youth. It was on the Oprah Winfrey show that I first heard about the retrogressive theory of aging. Oprah had turned 50 and felt the need to express repeatedly how terrific she felt. She declared indisputably, before her huge television audience, that 50 had become the new 40, or maybe it was 30. And that was that.

Initially, I thought her proclamation had to do with how she felt or the condition of her body, but as the conversation with her guests proceeded, I realized it was a mindset or an outlook. For me, her assertion served to validate a certain level of immaturity and unbecoming behavior in some folks.

As a baby boomer, I am certainly not against positive thinking or in this case positive projection, but there are up and down sides to aging that cannot be disputed. I am a firm believer that everyone should be active and in pursuit of something positive as long as they are alive, but that zeal for life should be tempered with what is age and socially appropriate. Moreover, each year has its own worth and should be celebrated rather than denied or squandered in wistful thinking and yearning.

No matter what the mind dictates, there are some activities that cannot be done equally as well by a 40 and a 30 year old. A trip to the beach anytime during the summer will prove this point. Even if the body has been carefully maintained, there will be evidence of deterioration on some level and this is not a bad thing as that is the way nature made mortals. We all have our seasons and ten years can make a difference.

As one ages, there are things that are distinctive for particular age groups and to act contrary displays either a level of immaturity or an inability to accept reality. There is a certain tolerance for certain wayward behavior in 20 year olds, but not quite as much for 30 year olds and by 40, there is none. With the progression of the aging process, society expects greater responsibility and there is also the expectation one has accumulated wisdom. The age retrogressive theory seems to reverse that natural process at best and at worst negate it.

There are many examples of folks who have maintained their zest for living and have found seemingly immeasurable happiness in their age group; they have been able to recognize the social and moral boundaries and still have rich and full lives, because they are young at heart. For example, Paul Newman drove race cars well into his 80s. I believe many would have been disappointed if this movie icon and philanthropist had said his 80s were the new 60s. It probably would have diminished the joy at seeing him being so stalwart and capable at 80+.

One of the most remarkable feats of late was executed by George H. Bush. At 85, he parachuted out of an airplane and was able to land on his own two feet. There was such a youthful and exuberant expression on his face that it belied any age. There was no need for Bush to diminish his accomplishment by claiming to be 20 years younger than his chronological age; he seemed perfectly at peace in his own 80 year old skin, proclaiming he will jump again on his 86th birthday.

If one perceives age 40 to be the new 30 because they have taken great care of their bodies both mentally and physically, I see no problem with taking on this bearing, but if it's to promote a mindset, perhaps that is not a good thing for everyone. Many folks certainly should not have a national voice giving them permission to act a certain way and for this group there should be a caveat: 40 year olds are not actually 30 year olds, but it is all right to feel that way at heart.

Learn more about this author, Dossie M Terrell.
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