Life can get so demanding that many people go through the motion of it, without any thought or fulfillment. The consequences of the daily stress of our lives is an evident toll on our health; leaving most people looking much older than their biological ages. Unfortunately, “growing old” is no longer an acceptable and graceful process in our society these days. Today, aging is considered a much dreaded virus and most people are willing to pay any price to overcome it. Living a purposeful life is the antidote to dealing with the fear of aging. Here are ten secrets to an ageless and purpose-driven life:

<!-  LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST. Life is not a problem to be solved but a mystery to be lived. The look on the faces of some people may almost convince anyone that God is on vacation and they have to stand in for him by carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders. You are either living life daily or existing by keeping one foot in the grave. Live life by daring to take up new challenges, exploring new frontiers, and conquering your fears. Life could be hard sometimes and dealing with challenges from time after time is just what makes life what it is. Many people are driven to seek solace from life’s problems in different forms of religious beliefs and activities, which in itself is a good thing but less appealing and altogether the wrong reason. Such people tend to be fanatic and are quite unpleasant to be around. They are usually so “heavenly minded” that they are no earthly good.

<!-   LOVE LIFE & PEOPLE. Love is such a powerful force that it creates its own magnetic field. Love is spontaneous and can absorb anything and any situation no matter how ugly it may be. Nobody can resist the power of love. People who love themselves first and then others are best described as charismatic in nature. They are drawn to people and people are drawn to them. Such individuals are always fun to be around because they are excited and enthusiastic about life, and that in itself is difficult to hide.

<!-  LAUGH AT LIFE. When you laugh at life, at your own mistakes, disappointments and flaws, people tend to laugh with you not at you.  Take yourself and your problems a little less seriously. If you can begin to complain less about what you do not have and be grateful for what you do have, soon your gratefulness will yield cheerfulness. Worry less about the things that steal your joy and laughter by switching your focus from your problems to your potentials, from your circumstances to your blessings.  Laughter affects every cell in your body and thereby stimulates  your immune system. It is important to know that  laughter is not just medicine to your body; experts believe that it also releases the power of creativity in your mind.

<!-  LEARN SOMETHING NEW. Only small-minded people settle for what they already know. A new and different perspective to whatever knowledge you already possess is always more rewarding. Learn something new about your health, your environment, your relationships, perhaps a new language…anything that stimulates your mind. An active mind is a spring for wholeness in every area of life.

<!-  LEAD OTHERS INTO NEW HORIZONS. Whatever useful knowledge you may have acquire in life is meant to benefit you. But more importantly, it is meant to benefit others. No knowledge is ever lost and all shared knowledge would ultimately lead others into new horizons of development either corporately or individually. Never shy away from opportunities of leadership and responsibility, rather realize that you are unique and equipped to release others into their potentials.

<!-   LEAN ON THE HIGHER POWER.  The greatest problem of the human race is seeking independence from God. Dependence on God both in difficult times and good times not only creates an atmosphere of His divine presence but a feeling of contentment and peace. We have been created to enjoy fellowship with friends and family, keeping them in close enough proximity to have them around but never to need them.  Believe in yourself and your God-given abilities but lean on the higher power of God to express yourself and your talents adequately for the benefit of all.

<!-   LEAVE YOUR HURTS BEHIND. Many people never cross the threshold of mediocrity and crisis into true freedom because of the excess baggage of past hurts, pain and rejection they carry with them. Memories of the past,  if allowed to cloud the present, will rob the future of the beauty and joy of a good and fruitful life. Forgiving those who have hurt us is a decision not a feeling.

<!-  LONG FOR SOMETHING BETTER. Never give up on your dreams. Being content is good but good things must give way to better ones. Longing for something better is not achievable simply by day-dreaming, but by taking practical steps to making sure that such dreams come to reality. Do not settle for small and “playing-safe” kind of dreams, instead go for dreams that are not just bigger than your wildest imagination but would more likely out-live you. God- sized dreams only require your faith and dependence on God to bring them to fruition, all you need to do is watch out for those subtle guided and opportuned moments to spring into action.

           LABOR TO BE FRUITFUL. Being productive in whatever way; either for the purpose of self sustenance or pleasure is a good way to put the aging process on hold. Mental and physical activity is bread for the spirit, soul and body. 

      LISTEN TO YOUR GUT AND TO OTHERS. Your body has its own mind; the connection between you and the higher power that controls all that is around you. Master the promptings of your "gut feelings" and you will never be wrong. Listening is also a necessary art that can save you a whole lot of heartache in your relationships. Many misunderstandings and conflicts in relationships, arise from people's wrong attitudes to listening. This is simply because it caresses our emotions and affirms our need for personal validation and appreciation - no matter who we are!