✨KITTING AROUND✨
🌟 BLOG 361–Living Beyond the Age of 100? 🌟
This Video will let you know more about me–
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr8QFnD1yGc
This Blog is Best Read on a Laptop, Rather than Your Phone.
By KIT SUMMERS — World-Class Juggler to World-Class Comeback
To Learn More about Kit, Go Here >> https://kitsummers.com/about-kit/
Once upon a life, I made gravity nervous—
Headlining at Ballys, tossing clubs with a grin.
Seven of them. A world record—
Because physics loves a good insult. 😄
Then came the truck—the coma.
Thirty-seven silent days offstage.
And here I am now—not juggling clubs.
But throwing purpose, grit, and joy.
Balancing healing, catching courage.
Tossing hope sky-high. 🤹♂️
The mission grew bigger than applause.
Now I lift humans. I write to stay connected.
I write because it’s how I breathe.
If these words help you, too?
That’s magic catching air. 🎉
What’s next on Kit’s journey through life?
Back to juggling? Back to life?
Stay with Kit and find out.
Life can get better.
Life will get better. ✨
1) THE BEGINNINGS
Every story asks this question first: Where do I begin?
The answer is simple—Start at the beginning.
It began a long, long time ago, when I was very young…
I once set a goal to juggle 7 clubs — I met that goal!
Now I have a goal of reaching beyond the age of 100, see me go!💥💙
Will you join me in reaching this goal for yourself?
So many things are bad, and getting worse.
I’m seeing double more often.
My tinnitus (ringing in my ears) is nonstop.
I seldom hear from my daughters or you.
My weight continues to go up, and the swelling in my legs grows.
I’ve been so lonely in my life, having no one to love.
100 years? Thinking about it, I will have to live past the year 2059 to reach 100 years old. Here I go, will you be next to me? Hmm, what interesting things will happen before then? What will you be doing on your 100th birthday? In the end, you only have yourself. When will you turn 100?
Living to 100? Whew—sometimes that sounds like a juggling act with too many flaming torches. Do I really want that many years if they’re packed with loneliness and pain? It’s a fair question—an honest one. And honesty matters. But here’s the flip side of the coin—the shiny, confetti-covered side 🎉—life is never just the complex parts. It’s the whole parade.
Yes, I’ve written about the sad chapters. The rough weather. The days when the sky felt a little too heavy. You’ve walked those roads too—I know you have. But don’t forget: woven between the storms are sunlit moments, belly laughs, surprise joys, victories both loud and quiet. Think of the friendships, the sparks, the “how did that even happen?” moments. You’ve had many. We all have. And they count.
On December 13, 1925, Dick Van Dyke was born. And just recently—boom!—he turned 100. One hundred years of leaping, laughing, singing, stumbling, getting back up, and dancing through decades like gravity was merely a suggestion. What an extraordinary life. Not perfect. Not pain-free. But gloriously, exuberantly lived.
So maybe the question isn’t “Do I want to live to 100?”
Maybe it’s this: How much good life can I pack into the years I have—starting today?
Cue the music. The curtain’s up. Let’s dance. 💃🕺✨
2) THINGS THAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK
Kit’s Daily Delights — Inspiration, Served Fresh.
>>>>> January 17—
As the day tiptoes into existence, it does so very slowly—this is Saturday, after all. Saturdays don’t rush; they stretch, yawn, and shuffle around in fuzzy socks. The world seems to be operating in low gear, and so am I.
Doctor Mahal stopped by today. He is the general doctor for NR. I had a few concerns tucked under my arm, hoping they might get some fresh air. They didn’t. He listened, nodded, and—poof—nothing really changed.
He mentioned he’d return with a business card, a tiny rectangle of proof that the visit mattered. That return trip never happened. Funny how something so small can feel oddly symbolic. This is the second time he said he would return with a card.
And yes—full disclosure, hand on heart—I don’t love being here. Not even a smidge. Not even enough to pretend I do for five polite seconds. But honesty is part of the admission price, and I refuse to let that truth grab the microphone and do a gloomy solo.
So I’m calling it a night. Lights out, thoughts quieted (or at least gently herded), and off I drift—hopefully into a dream that’s a little weird, a little wonderful, and completely rent-free—wishing you a good, deep, delicious sleep tonight. May your pillow be cool, your mind be kind, and tomorrow show up with better jokes. 😴✨
>>>>> January 18—
Another slow-motion morning. The kind where the clock moves like it’s walking through peanut butter. This daily tiredness is a stubborn companion—it shows up uninvited and refuses to leave. I keep asking myself what the right move is. Nap? Push through? Dance wildly to imaginary music? The jury’s still out.
Still—here I am. Awake. Writing. Noticing. Questioning.
That counts for something.
Even on the slowest Sundays, even with tired bones and unanswered questions, there’s still a pulse. And as long as that pulse is there, the story isn’t finished yet. 🌱
>>>>> January 19—
I woke up feeling like the last balloon at the party—still floating, slightly wrinkled, and wondering where everyone went and who turned off the music. To keep myself company, I watched The Bellboy starring the gloriously rubber-boned Jerry Lewis. Elastic face. Elastic body. Zero concern for gravity or dignity. A master.
Then—WHAM! 💥—One of those sneaky existential pop-ups
leapt out from behind the popcorn.
Everyone in that movie? Yep. All.
They’ve all taken their final bow.
Poof. Curtain call. Exit stage… eventually.
It just shows us how short and extraordinary life is.
Because here’s the twist: we’re all in the same play.
No understudies. No rewinds. Just this glorious, ridiculous, once-only performance.
And that’s not gloomy—that’s fuel. 🔥
It means today matters.
It means laugh louder, love harder, and juggle the moment while it’s still in the air. 🤹♂️✨
Life ends. But living well? That’s our job—right now. 🎉
And that’s not gloomy—that’s fuel. 🔥 It means today matters, as every day must.
It means to laugh louder, love harder, and juggle the moment while it’s still in the air. 🤹♂️✨
Life ends. But juggling, climbing trees, living?
That’s our job—right now. Make your life fantastic! 🎉
Unless, of course, you have already lived past 100. In which case, you were born before 1926? If yes, congratulations, you are officially beating time at its own game. 🏆And, those of you still on your way, as I had asked before, join me as we surpass the age of 100, and with a smile on your face.
This Monday, today, is especially quiet. Like a library closed during a snowstorm, quiet. Turns out it’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I only discovered this after consulting the mighty oracle (also known as… my computer). So—happy holiday! For me, it’s another slow-motion train ride through the hours, chug-chug-chugging toward bedtime. 🚂
About now, I usually head out to the garden and patio—my daily expedition into the wilds. Lilly drops typically off the schedule by this time, but at five till… nothing. Zip. Nada. Holiday rules. Which means today’s official agenda is: Unscheduled Living—a bold, edgy lifestyle choice. Thank you, Martin King (Hey, where’d the “Luthur, Jr. ” go?)
I just returned from my daily garden patrol—part exercise, part balance training, part Neighborhood Cleanup Avenger. And once again, I collected at least 50 cigarette butts. Yes. Fifty. Plus empty packs. Apparently, some people believe the ground is a magical self-cleaning ashtray. Spoiler alert: it is not.
SMOKING?
I hate to say it—but today, I will.
Don’t be an idiot.
What are these smokers thinking?
Smoking destroys bodies, trashes the planet,
costs too much, smells terrible,
and decorates the earth with tiny, soggy sticks of regret.
Please—if you smoke—pause with me for a moment. Really pause. There is nothing good hiding in that habit. Nothing. Not a reward. Not a memory. Not even a lousy souvenir keychain from the land of regret. Quitting isn’t about white-knuckling your way through misery. “Just stop” rarely works. The real magic is replacement.
Everyone—every single human—has felt like quitting something at some point. You’re not weak for feeling it. You’re human. And humans are wonderfully capable of change. So don’t quit forever today. Just quit for today. Tomorrow can wait its turn. Then try two days… a week… a month. Small wins stack up like smiles in a jar. 🫙💫
You are not alone in this—not even close. Thousands upon thousands have quit smoking, and they weren’t superheroes. They were people… just like you. Everyone is here to help you. You can do it, we will help.
And here’s the good part:
If they can do it, YOU can do it.
I’m cheering for you.
I believe in you.
And if you need a hand, a nudge, or a reminder of your strength—I’m right here. ❤️🔥
You don’t remove a habit—you swap it out.
Trade movement for smoke.
Trade air for ash.
Trade a moment of escape for something that actually carries you forward.
Redirect your life toward better things—things that build you up instead of slowly burning you down. Your body is not an ashtray. It’s a miracle with plans.
You deserve lungs full of possibility…
Not smoke signals from a habit that never loved you back. 💛
Smoking–expensive, unhealthy, and strangely paired with an uncontrollable urge to litter. If you smoke, I’m honestly curious—why? (And yes, I called smokers idiots. Sorry. Not sorry. Mostly sorry. 😄) I’m seriness now — just stop.
The good news? The habit does seem to be fading from the world, which feels like progress—wearing sensible shoes and making responsible choices. It will be ice when no one can find any more butts outside in the garden or on the patio. No one needs it.
=====
I’ve been told my outdoor care skills are smokin’ hot—which feels fair, considering the amount of cigarette butts I rescue daily. 😄 No one’s thanked me yet for cleaning up the garden and patio areas, but that’s okay. I’m not doing it for applause or a gold star.
I do it for me. It steadies my balance, gets my body moving, and gives my mind a small, satisfying win. And when I’m done, the space feels kinder—more welcoming, more human.
I leave it better than I found it.
That’s my quiet contribution. 🌱✨ 
And honestly?
That’s a small win worth celebrating.
Everyone give me a big YEAH!
(I can’t hear you, but I’m choosing to believe it was loud.) 🎉👏
Strange days. My room sits at the very end of a hallway. The guy next to me moved out. The two across the hall are gone, too. And suddenly my mind, ever the drama-loving novelist, whispers: “What does this say about me? Am I hard to be around?” Ah, yes—hello again, Inner Critic. You always show up uninvited.
Twice a day, like clockwork, they take my vitals—blood pressure, temperature, the usual roll call of numbers. Almost always the same. Steady. Predictable. A quiet reminder that, whatever my thoughts are doing, my body is still showing up for duty.
I’m watching the movie, “Life and Death Row”, right now, and here’s the unsettling part—it’s hard to tell where the film ends, and my reality begins. Sure, jail has harsher rules, but here, there are rules too. I have to stay in this building; I can’t go across the street to the park.
Lines you don’t cross. Doors you don’t open. Choices you don’t get to make. And yes—right now, I feel scared. Trapped. Like my life has been put on pause without asking my permission. Things are supposed to change after my move to a new place, but will they?
But even in that fear… I’m still watching, still noticing, and still writing.
And that means—quietly, stubbornly—I’m still here.
For some reason, I am furious right now, and I am not even sure why.
>>>>> January 20—
Nice to see all the staff back today. The place felt like it clicked back into gear—therapies, routines, the familiar hum of “normal.” Breakfast rolls out around 8 a.m., so I’ll head down soon. There are tables for communal eating, but I always bring my food back to my room before I officially meet it. Cream of wheat today. I politely declined. Some relationships are better left unexplored.
Unfortunately, all three therapy sessions today offered very little. Each felt oddly improvised—like jazz without the rhythm section. I go through the exercise, but think I am wasting my time. Therapists are here to help, I know that. Am I just not open to participation?
As I’ve written before, it would help immensely if one day a month were dedicated to laying out actual lesson plans for the coming weeks. Structure matters. Also worth noting: all three sessions started late. Time is precious—especially when you’re trying to rebuild a life, not just fill a calendar.
Therapy began at 9 a.m. with Terrie, who’s back from some time off—genuinely good to see her. In our six-person group, the topic was communication. Nothing new for me, though reminders never hurt. Still, there wasn’t much of a plan behind it, and the session drifted—a gentle waste of time, but a waste nonetheless.
At 10:00 came Speech with Lillie. The printer wasn’t working, so improvisation was needed again. She did her best, but it turned into the usual brain teasers. Five of us answered questions like:
What gets bigger the more you take away? (A hole.)
What belongs to you but is used by others? (Your name.)
What’s the center of gravity and is in Venus but not Mars? (The letter “V.”)
These, and many more, can be found on your computer with a simple search.
Clever, sure. But familiar. Very familiar.
Finally, I met with Jules—who, sadly, had nothing planned at all. And that’s the most challenging part for me. I don’t mind effort. I don’t even mind the struggle. But I genuinely hate wasting time. Time is the one thing I’m trying hardest to protect.
Tomorrow’s another page. Let’s hope someone brings a pencil—and a plan. ✏️✨
>>>>> January 21—
Off we went to https://cleantheworld.org/—cue the work gloves and the good vibes.
Today’s mission: packing boxed bamboo toothbrushes. Simple task, sure—but why shuffle when you can streamline?
I spotted a way to make the whole operation smoother and faster, slid over to a quieter table with Maryann, and shared some efficiency magic. Fewer motions, better flow, same great impact. Productivity high-five. 🙌
Afterward, we rolled back to my current home, https://www.brainline.org/resource/neurorestorative-florida-avalon-park,
We parked the two vehicles and—like a well-oiled parade—walked together to www.southphillysteak.com.
A South Philly–style cheesesteak spot. And ohhh yes, it was really quite good. The true secret to a great cheesesteak? Start with great bread. Everything else just follows along, happily. If you’re anywhere near Orlando, you must try this place out. A few from NR joined us there; 4 therapists and 7 patients attended the party.
Next stop: the dentist at 2:30—just a few blocks away. But, as usual, NR insisted someone walk with me. Bless their cautious hearts. Little do they know I could jog laps around my escort, stop for a tea, and still arrive early. 😄
The appointment itself was pure magic—a few careful adjustments, some expert tinkering, and voilà—new, lower teeth that actually behave. I walked out smiling as I’d just won a small but meaningful lottery. The retainer fits beautifully now, and the dentist said I can come back anytime for fine-tuning.
And here’s the headline: I ate a chocolate chip cookie–No pain. Zero drama. Just crumbs, victory, and one delighted grin. 🍪😁 No more pain from this retainer, I am so happy. Steak and corn-on-the-cob, soon. How about you? Are you satisfied with your smile?
Most evenings, Octavio comes to my room, gives me my meds, and checks me. He was surprised, as I was, that the swelling in my legs and feet had gone away. I still want to find out why this occurred. Earlier in the day, they had given me a pill, a diuretic, which made me pee, and now, as I wrote, the swelling is gone. Now I have to find out why this happened in the first place.
>>>>> January 22—
I set my teeth in place first thing this morning—around 5 a.m., before the sun even clocked in. That was three hours ago, and here’s the miracle: no pain. None. Zero. A quiet victory. I want to ease into this new addition to my mouth—and to eating—so I’ll report back as the day unfolds.
At 9 a.m., we gathered with Terrie from OT and played Mille Bornes. I’ll be honest: it felt like a time-filler. But—plot twist—I won. So there’s that. 🏁
Next came Cognitive Group with Lilly. Another puzzle game. Another filler. I keep thinking: it’s okay not to have something every single day… but if you do have something, why not make it count? There are so many excellent games and tasks explicitly designed to help people with brain injuries. A simple search opens a whole world of possibilities.
https://www.google.com/search?q=games+to+help+with+head+injury+for+adults&rlz=1C1VDKB_enUS1128US1129&oq=games+to+&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCAgAEEUYJxg7MggIABBFGCcYOzIGCAEQRRg5MgYIAhAjGCcyCggDEAAYsQMYgAQyCggEEAAYsQMYgAQyCggFEAAYsQMYgAQyCggGEAAYsQMYgAQyBwgHEAAYgAQyBwgIEAAYgAQyBwgJEAAYjwLSAQkxNTYwMmowajeoAgCwAgA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
I was told I could find a good match and introduce it to the group. I’ve said it before, and I’ll repeat it: I’m not here to do their homework. I’ll gladly participate—but I won’t run the class.
And that’s it for therapies today.
I am scheduled to go across the street with someone from NR to juggle and run. I’ve passed on this before because of the deep afternoon tiredness that rolls in like fog. I also haven’t juggled for months. Running? Even longer. Still… we’ll see. I’ll let you know.
Midday check-in: still no pain from the retainer. But later in the afternoon, I yawned—and pop!—it came out. I’d worn it all day and decided that was enough for one round. Eating without it feels strange and keeps reminding me of that not-so-great decision to have all my lower teeth extracted. Regret has a way of sneaking into quiet moments.
In the afternoon, I went out with Susan from NR—escort required. I’m embarrassed to admit how rough the juggling went. I couldn’t even juggle three clubs. I used to juggle seven without thinking about it. Running wasn’t much better. My legs felt confused, like they’d misplaced the instruction manual: one foot in front of the other.
I will never be close to the juggler that I once was.
Juggling was a significant part of my life from age 15 onward. And now… here I am. I don’t feel much interest in throwing and catching anymore. That’s hard to say. Something needs to replace it. Writing may be that thing. It already is, in many ways. How am I doing with it? That’s the real question now.
After my big accident, when I could no longer juggle as I once did, I created a two-day workshop to help jugglers advance. I traveled the world teaching, coaching, and lifting others higher. I wrote Juggling with Finesse, a book many have called the best written on the subject. Over 25,000 copies sold worldwide. That mattered. It still does.
Along the way, I created a fresh salsa that people absolutely loved. What started as a simple idea grew into summerssalsa.com, a business I proudly ran for 20 years—right up until life threw me another plot twist and I got hit by a truck. (Yes… another one. Apparently, I attract bumpers.)
And here’s the best part: you can make it too.
Reach out to me, and I’ll happily send you the salsa recipe. kitsummers@gmail.com
Good things—like great salsa and great lives—are meant to be shared. 💃🔥
In life, age plays a role, too—hard as I hate to admit it. I never think of myself as old, but at 66, reality taps you on the shoulder and clears its throat. Still, I’ll keep pushing until the end. Age lives mainly in the mind, and I refuse to let it move in rent-free.
Just now, I heard the man across the hall moaning. I thought he’d been moved to a hospital, but there it was—the sound of pain. It hit me hard. I want to help him, but there’s nothing I can do. He is tasting aging in its harshest form, and it breaks my heart.
Aging is not about doing less.
Often, it’s about realizing no one is looking out for you but you.
Treat yourself well.
Keep your self-respect.
Speak kindly to yourself.
Aging isn’t about shrinking—it’s about moving with care.
You deserve kindness now.
You come first.
You may be older, but don’t give up.
You have much left to give.
Keep a smile as you do the things you love.
You’ve lived a whole life—you know what matters.
And you’re still here.
That means the story isn’t over yet. 🌱
>>>>> January 23—
Happy 1-2-3 (January Twenty Third)!
A Few More Ideas to Help You Dance Past 100 💃🕺
1–Tame inflammation—and inflation. (Your joints and your wallet will thank you.)
2–Keep your muscles awake and working. Strength is independence in disguise.
3–Keep the rivers flowing. Smooth circulation keeps the whole village alive.
4–Eat the rainbow. Berries, fish, nuts, leafy greens—color is medicine wearing a cape. 🌈
5–Respect your gut. Chew slowly, absorb fully. Rushing food is like skimming poetry.
6–Beware of sneaky dehydration. Drink fluids regularly—yes, water counts… beer doesn’t. 🍺😉
7–Calm the chronic stress machine. Worry ages faster than birthdays.
8–Sleep is nightly medicine. No copay, no prescription—just lights out.
9–Heal emotional loneliness. Silence can hurt louder than noise.
10–Connect often with people, animals, plants, conversations, laughter—LIFE.
11–Live fully. Not later. Not someday. Now. The clock is ticking—make it dance. ⏰✨
Today’s Therapy Adventures (or… Extended Recess?)
First up: OT with Maura—a “Visual Group.”
I might criticize, but Maura is quite good at what she does.
Each of us received a calendar and answered questions about dates and events. A visual scanning exercise, yes… but one that felt more like busywork than brain-building. My mind stayed polite, but it didn’t exactly light up.
Next came the ever-thrilling classic: BINGO.
Three games. I won one.
No prize.
No chicken dinner. 🐔
(Darn, you know what they say, Winner winner—chicken dinner.)
Just time passing politely, wearing the costume of therapy.
And here’s the rub:
There are countless evidence-based, engaging activities available with a simple computer search—tasks that challenge cognition, coordination, creativity, and purpose. Yet the rotation remains stuck in old routines and old games.
I’ve been told I should “find what I like and present it.”
Nope. That’s backwards.
It’s the therapist’s role to research, design, and deliver what best serves the group—not ask patients to do the curriculum planning. Therapy should evolve, not loop.
Old brains deserve new ideas.
Healing deserves intention.
And time—precious, irreplaceable time—deserves better than being filled.
Still… onward.
Still here.
Still aiming for 100—and beyond. 🚀
3)🌟 BLOG 361–Living Beyond the Age of 100?
Sorry to break it to you (actually… not sorry at all):
You are getting older. So am I.
Congratulations—we’re still in the game. 🎉
As for me? I’m not tiptoeing toward the exit.
I’m aiming boldly past 100.
Care to join me on this deliciously audacious challenge?
Living to 100 isn’t a single magic trick—it’s a full-blown juggling act. 🎪
A little good DNA, a lot of smart daily habits,
And yes… a pinch of luck tossed high into the air.
Those who pull it off earn a great title: “Centenarians”.
I like to think of them as life’s master jugglers—
Still catching, still smiling, still playing long after others sat down.
Your move. 😉
The usual suspects matter:
🥗 Eating well
🚶♂️ Moving your body
🚭 Not smoking
🧘♂️ Keeping stress from eating your lunch
👫 Staying socially connected
SET 100 AS A GOAL NOW AND GEAR YOUR LIFE TO ACHIEVING IT!
Some people are “delayers”—they push serious diseases way down the road. Others are “escapers”—they somehow dodge disease almost entirely. But once you step past 100, the spotlight swings hard toward genetics. DNA starts calling more of the shots.
Centenarians are becoming more common, yet the outer limit of human life still seems to be around 120 years (can you do 121?) For now. Science keeps tapping on that wall, testing it, nudging it, whispering, “Move.” If longer lives become the norm, they’ll demand more than candles on a cake. 🎂
More Key Factors for Reaching 100+ >>
- Diet: Eating a varied, healthy diet with minimal meat is common among long-lived individuals.
- Genetics: A major predictor; having long-lived parents increases your chances, and specific genes influence aging.
- Lifestyle: Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular exercise (walking, strength training), and managing stress are crucial.
- Social & Mental Well-being: Strong relationships, purpose, happiness, and positive outlook are linked to longevity.
- Health Behaviors: Centenarians often remain active and mentally engaged, delaying the onset of significant health issues.
Living beyond 100 will require financial foresight and a purposeful approach.
It’s a lifestyle built not just to last—but to mean something.
Living past 100 isn’t about adding years to life.
It’s about adding life to the years—long before you ever blow out candle #100. 💥💙
Beyond 100 isn’t about tiptoeing through life wrapped in bubble wrap—it’s about showing up with curiosity, movement, laughter, and a mischievous grin. The people who thrive longest tend to keep their bodies gently busy, their minds wildly interested, and their hearts socially tangled up with other humans.
A few things about people getting older:
They eat food that once had a passport (plants!), walk like it’s their job, stress less about small stuff, and keep saying yes to conversations, friendships, and purpose. Longevity isn’t a finish line—it’s a daily dance. 💃🕺
And here’s the fun secret: living past 100 starts right now, no matter how old you are. It’s built from tiny, joyful choices stacked like LEGO bricks—one walk, one laugh, one deep breath, one good habit at a time. See your life differently—in a beautiful light.
Genetics may load the dice, but lifestyle rolls them. So keep learning, keep moving, keep loving people fiercely, and keep planning a future you’re excited to wake up to. If you’re going to live a long time, make it playful, meaningful, and full of sparkle.
Our bodies never stop evolving. From peak growth in young adulthood to subtle cellular shifts later in life, each decade brings its own physical, hormonal, and cognitive changes. While we may typically focus on major milestones such as puberty or menopause, the more subtle transformations over the years are just as interesting — and often far less noticeable.
For instance, did you know that the average person shrinks a few inches throughout their life? Or that emotional well-being tends to increase with age? Here’s a look at what changes to expect in each decade of adulthood
There is No Heaven, There is No Hell.
Sorry to bust your Bubble, Surprise.
You Have This ONE LIFE to live —
MAKE IT THE BEST YOU CAN!
🌱 Your 20s: The Foundation Years
This is often considered the physical prime, the discovery years. Muscle builds quickly. Recovery is fast. Resilience is high. The brain is still finishing its construction—especially the prefrontal cortex, the command center for judgment, impulse control, and long-term planning. Bone density peaks, laying the structural groundwork for decades to come.
🔥 Your 30s: The Transition Decade
Subtle shifts begin. Muscle mass and strength start to decline at roughly 3–5% per decade after age 30. Hormonal changes influence fat distribution, especially around the abdomen. You must keep your mind on a fantastic path toward the end note.
🌤️ Your 40s: The Awareness Years
This is when changes become harder to ignore. Women may enter perimenopause, with fluctuating estrogen affecting mood, metabolism, and sleep. Men experience a gradual decline in testosterone—about 1% per year—that involves energy and muscle mass.
🌳 Your 50s: The Power of Consistency
Menopause marks a major hormonal shift for women (and some men🤣), affecting bone density, heart health, and sometimes libido. Muscle loss accelerates in both sexes, and daily tasks may require more effort.
🌊 Your 60s: The Wisdom Decade
Mobility, balance, and independence take center stage.
Changes in the inner ear increase the risk of falls. Sleep becomes lighter. Taste and smell may fade slightly. Reflexes slow, and word recall may take a beat longer. These are regular shifts—not signs of decline. Many people report lower anxiety, reduced stress, and a deeper perspective than in earlier decades. The mind softens even as it sharpens its wisdom.
🍂 Your 70s: The Harvest
Lifestyle choices now speak loudly.
Sarcopenia—loss of muscle mass and strength—becomes more noticeable. Immunity weakens. Chronic conditions may require closer management. Vision, digestion, and bone density demand attention.
🌟 Your 80s: The Resilience Years
Here, the contrast between lifelong habits becomes clear—but so does the body’s remarkable adaptability. Frailty affects some, increasing fall risk. Lung capacity may be about 40% lower than the youthful peak. Digestion slows, appetite decreases, and protein becomes essential. And still—many people maintain cardiovascular efficiency, functional strength, and endurance when they keep moving.
🌈 Your 90s: The Big Truth
Aging is not something that happens to us.
It’s something we participate in.
There is no resisting it. Here you go.
Your body is not your enemy—it’s your lifelong partner.
Treat it with curiosity, respect, and play.
Move it. Feed it well. Rest it wisely. Love it fiercely.
Your journey is not winding down; it’s widening.
😁OVER 100!—YOU MADE IT!
So… how about that 100-plus adventure? I’ll meet you there. 💫
Not because I fear the end. But because I love the experiment. Care to join us?
I’ll save you a seat on the long road. Plenty of room. Plenty of joy. And absolutely no rush.
Aim toward 100 now, while you still can.
CENTURIANVILLE, A NICE PLACE TO BE!
It’s time, my friend—pull up a chair, loosen your shoelaces, and pour yourself a tall glass of possibility. This is not a medical report. This is a story. A bright, curious story about what it means to keep living long after the world quietly expects you to slow down. 🌈
The Long Game
I was watching a video the other day about living beyond 75.
Not surviving. Not coasting. Living Life.
Of course, we can live beyond 75.
Of course, we can live beyond 100.
The real question is: Do we want to live awake?
Sorry to say, you are getting older. So am I.
Congratulations! 🎉 You made it this far.
But here’s my plan: I’m not aiming for old. I’m aiming for experience.
Seasoned. Curious. Still dancing with life. I have much left to see and do here.
And yes—still making plans that scare me just enough to feel delicious.
I’m going past 100 and not dragging myself there.
Striding. You’re welcome to join me.
Keep finding the joy — daily (EVERY MINUTE!)
Each Decade Is a Character in the Story
Our bodies never stop evolving. Never.
They don’t retire. They adapt.
Each decade shows up like a new character in a long novel—
same hero, different costume, deeper plot.
4) 🔥 A FEW SPARKS TO SLIP INTO YOUR POCKET
✨ THE MAGIC OF QUOTES ✨
Quotes are tiny magic lanterns—glimmers of wisdom that light our way. They contain big truths in small packages, offering comfort, clarity, and courage when we need it most. A single line can steady a trembling heart, clarify a foggy thought, or remind us to keep moving toward our dreams with a whisper that says, “Keep going—there’s more ahead.”
“The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes.” ~ Frank Lloyd Wright
“Live with joy until you die!”~Kit Summers
“Make death something to look forward to, not something to fear.” Kit Summers
“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.” ~Sophia Loren
“Every year should teach you something valuable; whether you get the lesson is up to you. Every year brings you closer to expressing your whole and healed self.” ~Oprah Winfrey
“One of the reasons people get old—lose their livelihood—is that they get weighed down by all of their stuff.” ~Richard Leider
“Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” ~Mark Twain
“I suppose real old age begins when one looks backward rather than forward.” ~ Mary Sarton
“Of all the self-fulfilling prophecies in our culture, the assumption that aging means decline and poor health is probably the deadliest.” ~ Marilyn Ferguson
“Age is no barrier. It’s a limitation you put on your mind.” ~Jackie Joyner-Kersee
“Know that you are the perfect age. Each year is special and precious, for you shall only live it once. Be comfortable with growing older.” ~Louise Hay
“Oh, the worst of all tragedies is not to die young, but to live until I am seventy-five and yet not ever truly to have lived.” ~ Martin Luther King Jr.
“You don’t stop laughing when you grow old, you grow old when you stop laughing.” ~George Bernard Shaw
“I believe the second half of one’s life is meant to be better than the first half. The first half is finding out how you do it. And the second half is enjoying it.” ~Frances Lear
“We are not victims of aging, sickness, and death. These are part of the scenery, not the seer, who is immune to any form of change. This seer is the spirit, the expression of eternal being.” ~Deepak Chopra
“Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.” ~Franz Kafka
“To find joy in work is to discover the fountain of youth.” ~Pearl S. Buck
5) YOUR CHALLENGE THIS WEEK >>
See and live your life at a younger age–You can do it!
Keep the joy and wonder in your life forever.
6) NEXT WEEK–BLOG 363–HOW TO JUGGLE!
If you can’t, you will learn.
If you can, you will learn new tricks.
Write me today–kitsummers@gmail.com
7) FINAL THOUGHTS 🌟
Because the best is always still ahead.
So juggle joy like it’s the air you breathe.
The horizon holds more than you can yet imagine.
Your present moment is not the finish line—it’s your starting block.
Chase sunsets as if they’re secret treasures waiting just for you.
Laugh so loudly that tomorrow leans in to listen.
Live as though you’ve only just begun—
BECAUSE YOU TRULY HAVE!
