What is your age(s)?

Have you ever contemplated your age beyond the number? Because it turns out you actually have about three ages.

Your Chronological age – The one we put on forms and documents. A number. It reflects the number of days (usually rounded to years) since birth. The most simplistic reflection of a person’s “age” but also boring and possibly the least meaningful (if one is interested in seeing and understanding someone).

Your Physical age – I credit Nintendo Wii Fit for raising more awareness of this one. It’s a reflection of your body’s relative “age” based on health, how well you’ve taken care of your physical self. Are you aging your body faster than your peer group? Or eating healthy and staying fit?

Your Emotional age – Closely related to maturity. How old you feel you are, even if unconsciously. The subjective age domain in which your mind and interests most often reside, likely informed by outward behavior though not necessarily (as we do tend to roleplay according to social norms & expectations). It can change in both directions. Probably the most interesting of all. Why? Consider this… might it be possible to feel inwardly younger through the maturing process of self-reflection, acceptance and identifying those things that really matter most?

So the next time someone inquires about your age you might respond with, “which one would you like to know?”

….or give the cheekier reply of all three.

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P.S. Sign language is beautiful, regardless of age