Healthy Aging Month: At Any Age, Life is Just Beginning…

Age is just a number. It certainly doesn’t have to define a person or predict a person’s destiny based on preconceived notions of what is expected at certain stages of life. In fact, even as a senior, life can just begin, or even better, it can be the starting point to something beautiful.

This sentiment was best expressed in the movie, “The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,” the sequel to the 2012 British comedy-drama film, “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.” The continuation of the Exotic Marigold Hotel brings together, yet again an all-star cast of seniors, including Judi Dench and Richard Gere, who are seeking happiness and meaning at an unconventional and surprisingly charming hotel in India.

In honor of Healthy Aging Month this September, here are some inspirational quotes and tips from the heart-warming films that are wonderful reminders to keep exploring and discovering new adventures, regardless of age, in an effort to live a happier, healthier and more rewarding life:

Words of Wisdom

• “This is a new and different world. The challenge is to cope with it. And, not just cope with it but thrive.” – Evelyn Greenslade (Judi Dench)

• “The only real failure is the failure to try.” – Evelyn Greenslade (Judi Dench)

• “Self-pity – it destroys everything around it.” – Muriel Donnelly (Maggie Smith)

• “Nothing happens unless first we dream.” – Sonny Kapoor (Dev Patel)

• “It takes team work to make a dream work.” – Sonny Kapoor (Dev Patel)

• “All we know about the future is that it will be different.” – Evelyn Greenslade (Judi Dench)

Now is the Time

• “Every hour brings new things.” – Douglas (Bill Nighy)

• “The great and terrible thing about life is that there’s just so much bloody potential.” – Douglas (Bill Nighy)

• “Life is what you bring to it.” – Evelyn Greenslade (Judi Dench)

• “You have no idea now what you will become, don’t try and control it. Let go. That’s when the fun starts. Because as I once heard someone say, “There’s no present like the time.”” – Muriel Donnelly (Maggie Smith)

And, Judi Dench’s character, Evelyn Greenslade, said it best: “How many new lives can we have? As many as we like.”

At any age and even as one grows older, life can just begin, whether it’s through a new job, hobby, love, friendship, interest, experience or adventure. Big or small, the possibilities are endless…

Natalie Drugan

Natalie Drugan is a nutrition and lifestyle health coach. Natalie is dedicated to helping others make healthy choices centered on clean food, toxic-free environments and happy living. Natalie received her nutrition health coaching certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in NYC, the world’s largest nutrition school. As a Certified Nutrition Health Coach, she studied over 100 dietary theories and learned from world-renowned experts and doctors including Andrew Weil, MD, Walter Willet, MD, Mark Hyman, MD and Deepak Chopra, MD. Natalie is board certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP). Additionally, Natalie received her BBA in Marketing from Texas A&M University.