Are you young at heart? I certainly hope so.
I just saw the documentary, “Young at Heart.” This poignant and inspiring film is about a chorus of seniors from Northampton, who perform worldwide and sing songs like James Brown’s, “I Feel Good,” and Sonic Youth’s, “Schizophrenia.”
Being a singer myself, I can relate to the power of singing. I sing for sanity, to feel good, to ease knee pain, and because I have a voice! Singing like exercise transforms you and those who either join or hear you.
There should be no barriers to your ability to learn to sing or to exercise, unless you create them. In my profession, I have seen too many people devise or succumb to barriers that prevent them from living. I have also seen people defy the stereotype of aging and dealing with illness. Just because you are old or sick, does not mean that you are unable, as this vibrant chorus of seniors proves otherwise.
Our culture values and prizes youth and beauty. Everywhere we look – magazines, TV, movies – bombard us with “prettty/beautiful people,” models and/or celebrities who prey upon our vulnerabilities. We begin to fear aging, so we fight it and deny it with all kinds of methods. Yet despite our efforts, all of us will hopefully get to grow old. The most important thing is to remain young at heart! To go on living in spite of our age!
