Natural Living

Comment: Lynne Franks muses on hitting 60

The UK’s leading holistic columnist on the joys of ageing

The UK’s leading holistic columnist on the joys of ageing
Being of the age to have been dancing round my handbag when the Beatles were first singing that wonderful song “When I’m 64,” it makes me laugh to think that I still feel like that same excited teenager while hitting that very age on my last birthday.

I know it’s such a cliché to say “I don’t know where the time has gone,” but I truly don’t understand how I got from being a north London mod to being a grandmother so quickly. Yet 40 wonderful years and more have passed like a dream, taking me on an incredible journey of laughter, tears, love, marriage, divorce, children, grandchildren, business ups and downs, passions, dreams and endless extraordinary adventures.

It has been said by others that 60 is the new 40 – a favourite comment of mine – and what has become very clear is that if we can keep our health, life can actually be the best yet. We are still dating, dancing, singing,running businesses, travelling, buying motorbikes, making mad passionate love when we are lucky enough to be with the right guy and there’s so much more to come.

I was doodling some words the other day to express how I was feeling and wisdom, passion and creativity came into my mind. I realised that whatever wisdom I can lay claim to has only come from my experiences over this long stretch of years; that I am as passionate about creating a new kind of future for my grandchildren and the generations to come as ever and that I now understand how to express my creativity in the most productive fashion.

I have also learnt to put life into perspective. I now appreciate that I totally create everything that happens to me – both good and bad – and I am also the only one that can change my patterns and thoughts. I still don’t get it all right by any means and am aware that I am still very much on my journey of growth. But at least I understand that I have to start with myself before I can expect to change any situation I am not happy with.

One of my biggest inspirations is the Council of the Thirteen Grandmothers, a circle of indigenous women from all over the world who meet to share the wisdom of their ancestors and their people, as well as their own experiences, with the hope that this information will come through to those of us in the modern world.

“I’m the only one who can change my thoughts”

They look like everything I would like to model myself on – powerful, tribal, wise, collaborative, beautiful and kind. Likewise Dadi Janki the global leader of the Brahma Kumaris, now well in her mid-nineties, never ceases to inspire and teach.

I recently watched a film about my friend Scilla Higham’s wonderful South African-based charity ASAP (African Solutions for African Charity) and again it was the grandmothers, with their wise, experienced faces, who are looking after the vulnerable children whose parents have died from AIDS.

It’s the grandmothers who are growing vegetables to feed the children, who are making sure the children take their medicine and most important of all, give out the hugs and love these children need.

When I look at the pictures of these beautiful wise women, I appreciate that age brings us a gift which no creams and injections can substitute for. It brings us self-knowledge, humour at our antics and a total joy and celebration of life.

And there is still so much to look forward to. I put a message on Facebook only this morning giving thanks for the blessed life I enjoy – and how I am still deciding what to do my life when I grow up. I had endless responses on this very modern medium from women in particular, agreeing how important it is to appreciate the present while staying open to the adventures still to come – whatever age we happen to be.

Article by

Lynne Franks

Author, Entrepreneur, Broadcaster and Lifestyle Guru

is an acclaimed author, entrepreneur, broadcaster and lifestyle guru

Discover more

Article by

Lynne Franks

Author, Entrepreneur, Broadcaster and Lifestyle Guru

is an acclaimed author, entrepreneur, broadcaster and lifestyle guru

Discover more