You Were Born to Live: A Reflection on Aging, Self-Worth, and the Sacredness of the Body
Too many older adults spend their days at a train station, metaphorically speaking, waiting for something or someone to arrive. A phone call. A visit. A loving gesture. But more often than not, that long-awaited moment never comes. And as the waiting continues, life quietly passes by.
At Evergreen Nursing Health, we believe it’s time to reclaim those moments. We believe aging should be embraced, not endured, and that self-care is a right, not a reward.
Aging Is Not Disappearance
Life presents daily choices, and those choices gradually shape your reality. The aging body, once full of vitality and movement, can slowly begin to feel invisible—not just to others, but to the very person living within it. This disappearance doesn’t happen all at once. It starts subtly.
You stop looking in the mirror with intention. You move only when necessary. You eat what’s available, regardless of its nourishment. You sleep poorly, dismiss warning signs, and treat your body like a tool—one that is tolerated only if it doesn’t complain.
But your body remembers that neglect. It responds with pain, fatigue, and a deep sense of disconnection. And most of all, it responds with a fading spark—a loss of vitality that dims the joy of simply being alive.
Your body is more than a machine. It is your home, your temple, the place where you experience life itself. Every breath, every step, every heartbeat is a sacred act. You deserve to live in this body with respect, tenderness, and awareness.
Inhabiting Yourself with Care
Caring for your body is not about strict regimens, trendy diets, or chasing youth. It’s about connecting with your body as something sacred. It’s feeling your feet as they touch the floor. It’s being aware of your breath as you rest. It’s recognizing that you are still here, worthy of care and attention.
When you believe that you only deserve care if others see or need you, you fall into a dangerous trap. You send a silent but harmful message to yourself: “I only matter when I’m useful.” But you were never meant to live life for someone else’s agenda.
You are here to inhabit your life fully. And if you don’t show up for yourself—physically, emotionally, spiritually—no one else can do it for you.
Letting Go with Clarity
As you age, it becomes increasingly important to distinguish between genuine companionship and emotional manipulation. Not every relationship is mutual, and not every bond is healthy. If your presence is only valued when you’re giving, sacrificing, or rescuing others, it’s time to pause and reflect.
You deserve relationships based on mutual respect, not one-sided contracts disguised as love. Your time, energy, and attention are sacred. They are not to be taken for granted or begged for.
If someone wants to be in your life, let them show it through their actions. If they don’t, it’s okay to let them go, not with anger, but with peace and clarity. You weren’t born to be endlessly available. You were born to live.
Respect Begins Within
Respect isn’t up for negotiation—not even with those you love the most. It begins with how you treat yourself. When you honor your body, your boundaries, and your emotional needs, you teach others how to treat you.
You are not invisible. You are not forgotten. You are not broken.
You are the presence you choose to be.
And at Evergreen Nursing Health, we are here to remind you that your life still matters deeply. Your journey is sacred, and you are worthy of care, love, and dignity, not because of what you give to others, but because of who you are.
Thanks again,
Diana Nelsen, RN BSN
Are you looking to secure either of these services? Schedule a free consultation with our expert nurses today!
