There’s a massive difference between aging and growing old. This difference is a matter of spirit. Aging is inevitable, growing old is a choice. In our 70s, life might slow down a bit but it certainly doesn’t have to stop.
If you’re still able to do certain things in your 70s, you’re not just living, you’re thriving. You’re a unique spirit, a once-in-a-lifetime soul.
Here are 9 things that set those exceptional people apart. These are the markers of those still radiant and filled with the vibrancy of life well into their 70s. Let’s dive right in!
1) Still tapping your feet
You’ve heard the phrase, “You’re only as old as you feel”, haven’t you? Well, it’s strikingly accurate.
Agility might dwindle with age but the rhythm? The rhythm never leaves a soul that’s young at heart. You might not be the sprightliest chicken on the dance floor anymore, but if you can still tap your feet to the beat of the song that ignited your youth and lose yourself in the music, you’re in a league of your own.
Rhythmic motion brings joy, it’s a nod to happier times, a salute to the days when your body was as spry as your spirit. Dancing is the secret language of the soul. Embrace it in your 70s, and you are breathing life back into every moment you live.
It’s a display of vigor, the proclamation of a spirit that hasn’t let the weight of the world crush its zest for life. So, if you can still tap your feet in your 70s, whether it’s to the Beatles or Taylor Swift, you’re a unique breed, a once in a lifetime soul.
2) Exploring the world without fear
Now, here’s something I’ve seen in those who truly embody a once-in-a-lifetime soul. These individuals don’t let the number attached to their age dictate their desire to explore.
Let me share a little bit about my own Grandpa Joe. At the age of 73, he started manifesting a unique philosophy: “The world is a book, and those who do not travel only read a single page.”
Despite his age, Grandpa Joe didn’t just sit back and reminisce about the adventures of his youth, he continued to create new ones. He ventured intrepidly throughout the world, from standing on the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro to exploring the pyramids of Egypt, he was an inspiration.
He embodied the spirit of exploration and curiosity that characterized his youth. He wasn’t merely existing, he chose to live passionately, fearlessly.
If you’re someone in your 70s whose spirit is like Grandpa Joe’s — still itching for new escapades, still hungry for experiences and still showcasing an undying wanderlust — then indeed, you’re a once-in-a-lifetime soul.
3) Keeping the mind sharp
They say with age, cognitive abilities can decline, but intriguingly, not everyone experiences this. Especially not those we’re referring to as once in a lifetime souls.
These individuals embrace the power of lifelong learning, they keep their mind stimulated, constantly feeding it with new knowledge, new skills, and new experiences. You will often find them immersed in books, partaking in thought-provoking discussions or engaging in intellectual pursuits.
The Queen of England, even well into her 90s, goes over state papers and documents, staying abreast of current affairs and stimulating her intellect. Sharp, isn’t she?
So if in your 70s, you’re still committed to learning, to improving, to always staying mentally stimulated, then congratulations! You’re definitely a once-in-a-lifetime soul.
4) Nurturing connections
A soul that doesn’t grow old is one that values relationships, understanding that life is measured not in years but in meaningful connections.
You’ve been around the block, seen faces come and go, built bonds, lost some. You’ve learned that relationships are the spices that add flavor to the dish of life. You understand that people matter more than things, love is superior to material possessions, and sharing experiences and memories with loved ones immensely outweighs any worldly luxuries.
If you’re in your 70s and still prioritize nurturing relationships old and new, be it friendships, family bonds, or even connections with your neighbors or the lovely waitress at your favorite cafe, you’re not just a once-in-a-lifetime soul. You’re the gem that reminds us all of what truly counts in life.
5) Thriving on happiness
You’d think that with old age, happiness would become elusive to some, yet that is not the case for once-in-a-lifetime souls. These individuals know the secret to contentment and it lies in relishing the simplest moments of joy.
Whether it’s waking up to chirping birds, appreciating the colors of a sunset, getting lost in the pages of a good book, or simply savoring a hot cup of tea, these folks take the time to appreciate the little things normally overlooked by others.
If you’re in your 70s and find happiness not in grand, flamboyant events but in the ordinary, everyday moments, then you, my friend, are a once-in-a-lifetime soul.
6) Living a life filled with gratitude
At this point in life, you’ve undoubtedly seen your fair share of sunrises and sunsets. You’ve weathered storms and basked in the warmth of countless summer days. The magic, though, lies in maintaining an attitude of thankfulness through it all.
Once-in-a-lifetime souls understand this. They appreciate the beauty of life, its twists and turns, highs and lows. They see each day as an unwritten page in the book of life, an opportunity to create, to love, to live.
If in your 70s, you can lay down at night with a heart filled with gratitude for another day of life, for the chance to love, to laugh, and to exist, then there’s no doubt about it. Your soul is incredibly special, a twinkling star in a dark sky, a once-in-a-lifetime gem.
7) Embracing change
Change can be scary, even more so when you’re in your 70s and well-acquainted with the comforts of familiar rhythms. This is a sentiment I’ve struggled with, the fear of the change that comes with age. But once-in-a-lifetime souls, they see it differently.
These are the folks who greet change with open arms, seeing it as a new opportunity, a new chapter waiting to be colored, rather than the closing of a familiar one.
I knew a lady, as vivacious in her 70s as she had been in her 20s. She picked up painting as a new hobby. Why? Because she could. She embraced a new dimension, channeling her creativity through a spectrum of colors, turning her years into meaningful pieces of art.
If you’re in your 70s and still have the courage to welcome change, to grow and evolve with time, then you’re extraordinary, a once-in-a-lifetime soul.
8) Pursuing a passion
Despite the prevailing notion, age isn’t a barrier to chasing dreams. Especially not for once-in-a-lifetime souls.
Often, we see age as a limitation, a hindrance to our aspirations. But these individuals don’t. They are the ones who grab life by the horns, seizing every opportunity to dive into their passion, regardless of their age.
Take painting, gardening, playing an instrument, knitting or even skydiving. Yes, you read that right. If you’re passionately pursuing something that lights a spark in you even in your 70s, then it’s no wonder that you’re a once-in-a-lifetime soul.
9) Radiating positivity
Positivity is the invisible aura that makes some people shine brighter than others. A once-in-a-lifetime soul in their 70s is like a luminary, casting a warm glow of positivity on those fortunate enough to cross their path.
They’ve realized that life is full of ups and downs, but they choose to focus on the ups. They decide to laugh instead of cry, to build rather than break, and to inspire instead of discourage.
So, if you’re the beacon of light that continues to radiate positivity, offering comfort, joy, and hope to those around you even in your 70s, then there you have it. Your radiance confirms that you are, indeed, a once-in-a-lifetime soul.
Reflection: It’s about the spirit
The heart of the matter here rests not in years, but in the spirit that refuses to be tamed by them. The concept of being a once-in-a-lifetime soul isn’t bound by the biology of aging, but soars on the wings of timeless vibrance and spirit.
American Novelist, Mark Twain, noted, “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” This stands true especially for the once-in-a-lifetime souls we’ve discussed.
Being in your 70s, yet still dancing to the rhythm of life, exploring the world, nurturing relationships, pursuing passion, embracing change, and radiating a dazzling positivity — this is not merely existing but choosing to live to the fullest.
So as the sun sets on today, we turn to introspection. Are we becoming once-in-a-lifetime souls? Are we savoring the essence of life in every breath we draw, each moment we live?
In the end, understand that age is not an end but a testament of time conquered, and each passing year is a reminder of your resilience. The real beauty finds its way in a soul that stands robustly beautiful despite the wrinkles of age.