I used to marvel at all the young whippersnappers with all their high-tech skills. Until I realized I had things they didn't have.

Photo by bruce mars on Unsplash

Stop wishing you were younger!

Have you ever found yourself thinking that young people are passing you by since they seem to know all that "tech stuff?" Stop right there! These are the same young people who come to you for advice all the time.

And that's the point!

You have more knowledge, experience, and wisdom

It takes time to accumulate and develop these qualities.

You've had broader experiences. You have seen more, done more, and thus have more to offer. As one example of how you benefit from the passage of time, studies in brain research show that older people excel at certain types of accumulated knowledge, something that is called "crystallized intelligence."

There's no getting around the fact that you can't rush some things.

"It is not that I'm so smart. But I stay with the questions much longer."

~ Albert Einstein

You have a broader perspective

As you get older, you develop a greater perspective of what’s important.

Your ability to problem-solve is streamlined. Your experience has taught you that there are many different points of view. That means that there can be different solutions and that sometimes you need to compromise.

The end of life is closer and it helps clarify what is important and what isn’t.

"The only thing you sometimes have control over is perspective. You don't have control over your situation. But you have a choice about how you view it."

~ Chris Pine

You are likely more emotionally stable than your younger counterparts

Older people tend to have more stable lives and relationships.

They have years of experience dealing with conflict and tend to be more empathetic. They aren't out to impress anyone and are less likely to succumb to peer pressure. They have often stopped caring what others think of them and will speak their mind.

Overall, they project a calmness born of a lifetime of accomplishment.

"The key to success is emotional stability"

~ Warren Buffett

So there you go.

There’s no limit to the benefits of aging. It’s up to you to find them and take advantage of them.

And remember, "Growing old isn't so bad, considering the alternative."