COMING of AGEING - the JOY of GETTING OLDER

We live in a culture that dreads the inevitability of growing older, treats it like a disease to be cured with potions, tries to silence it with botox. And through all of this, we’ve forgotten that to grow old at all is a tremendous privilege - to become a person worthy of old age is the triumph of life.

Our goal shouldn’t be to cling to youth as we get older, but to keep our joy alive by tending our inner child throughout our days while also nurturing our connection to the changing world. In doing so, we balance wisdom with wonder, confidence with curiosity and depth with delight.

A long life is a gift. But will we really be grateful for it?

Filmed in Whidbey Island, Washington State, USA.

The full quote shared by Vicki during this film is by Florida Scott Maxwell - "You need only claim the events of your life to make yourself yours. When you truly possess all you have been and done, which may take some time, you are fierce with reality. When at last age has assembled you together, will it not be easy to let it all go, lived, balanced, over?"

All of our films are made possible through the generous support of our patrons.

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Who is Reflections of Life? We are Justine and Michael (previously known as Green Renaissance). We use our passion for filmmaking and our love of storytelling, to remind our audience of one simple truth – that we are all human. The more that we understand and believe in this interconnectedness, the more we will treat ourselves, one another, and planet earth with a greater sense of compassion.

Filming - by Michael Raimondo
Editing - by Justine du Toit
Sound mix - by Tamryn Breakey

The following music tracks are used in this film - all sourced from Epidemic Sound:
Assertively Furtive - by John B Lund
Phases - by Alan Ellis
Chalets - by Martin Gauffin
It's in the Trees - by Martin Gauffin
Fading Memories - by Martin Landh
Be - by Indigo Days
A Golden Sun - by Heath Cantu

A huge thank you to these guys, who gave so generously of their to time to help with translations, enabling us to provide subtitles in the following languages:
Arabic - by Frihat Oussama
Bulgarian - by Polina Stoyanova
Chinese (Simplified and Traditional) - by Shun-Ying Lu
Croatian - by Davor Bobanac
Dutch - by Karla Greven
English - by Justine du Toit
French - by Amélie Macoin
German - by Tanja Pütz
Greek - by Vicky Polychroni
Indonesian - by Ary Nuansa
Italian - by Grazia Gironella
Macedonian - by Lidija Pusevska Markovska
Persian - by Mona Zadsham
Polish - by Anna Konieczna
Portuguese - by Sibylle Steinpass and Lucivani Valvassori
Romanian - by Anca Zaharia
Slovak - by Zuzana Beratsova
Slovenian - by Jasmina Kovačič
Spanish - by Paty Aguirre
Vietnamese - by Thi Le

[ReflectionsofLife]

All of our films are made possible through the generous support of our patrons. THANK YOU guys. Without you, this wouldn't be possible.

[fearthehoneybadger]

Don't let reflecting on the things that go away blind you to the new things that arrive.

[bethelshiloh]

I’m 74. Simply cannot face eternity without having more assurance. My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.

[darkangelkate]

Wow! That was wonderful. I am 71 and I can relate to everything she said . She is lovely, strong, smart and resilient. She is who I want To be when I grow up!!

[noellewestfield]

I just turned 70 in late December and I was very very upset. It seemed unbelievable to me. And I have done shadow work!! But this number still hit me like an iron frying pan. Then....once I finally FELT through the newness of such an auspicious decade, I took a deep breath and RELAXED. I am proud to say my age and I smile when I do. Thank-you for this wonderful video about a time in our lives, if we are lucky enough to embrace and enjoy. Sending hugs out to all the women who have recently turned 70.❤❤❤

[tuckerbergeron]

I’m 18 and graduating high school in two weeks. Watched this to put in perspective that even though I’ll never be a little kid again I need to make the most of every moment I have left.

[dr.mamtaverma]

“Go to the most painful place that’s where the truth is” thanks for the words of wisdom.💖

[glorianolan]

I just turned 80 on February 1. I have been so teary since then and I don't completely understand it. Everything hurts my heart. As you talk about your soul, that may be what is impacted more precisely, but it hurts.

[mikek]

Aging with acceptance and grace seems so elusive to so many. This woman is THE example for all of us to follow.

[mollieanne]

I am going to be turning 55 and my mom, who was my best friend went through to the other side 6 years ago. This woman's words comfort me.

[ponleod]

When I was younger I understood that my mother sacrificed herself so that the people around her wouldn’t be troubled. There’s a deep wound in our culture…we are encouraged to take what we want. My sisters ran towards their own lives chattering about what mom did or did not “get right”. It would have saved us all so much pain if they would have simply loved her 🤷‍♀️I love the wisdom of this woman…she’s done the hard work…she’d be a great friend❤️👋🇨🇦

[lizaC]

So much respect to this beautiful lady who realized that perhaps she, like so many of us, lived unconsciously in her dealings with others. And when she realized it, made the difficult and humbling approach to make amends. This really touched my heart. Thank you for a beautiful video.

[SusanMeekerLowry]

"Someone knows you're coming. An extra fish has been salted." Yes. I love this Vicki. And your bravery and grace at this time of your life.

[marilynb]

Oh boy!! My husband passed 6 months ago and my life has changed dramatically. I am 74 and againg. Bags under my eyes, thinning hair, flabby skin because I've dropped 40 lbs. Im not eating much these days because i don't want to. I actually feel better and my clothes fit better. Ive had to reinvent myself. I don't know how i grew so old!!

[debbiesittard]

" Keep your face towards the sun and you will never see the shadows." ~ Helen Keller ❤

[Muthoni]

In a generation or 2 we shall be forgotten once we're gone. That's quite sobering.

[lovelyskull]

We all walk on the bones of those that came before us. Enjoy every second, dream, rest and love. I’m 70yrs old. Thank you and cheers.

[ReflectionsofLife]

A huge thank you to these guys, who gave so generously of their to time to help with translations, enabling us to provide subtitles in the following languages:
Arabic - by Frihat Oussama
Bulgarian - by Polina Stoyanova
Chinese (Simplified and Traditional) - by Shun-Ying Lu
Dutch - by Karla Greven
English - by Justine du Toit
French - by Amélie Macoin
German - by Tanja Pütz
Greek - by Vicky Polychroni
Indonesian - by Ary Nuansa
Italian - by Grazia Gironella
Macedonian - by Lidija Pusevska Markovska
Persian - by Mona Zadsham
Polish - by Anna Konieczna
Portuguese - by Sibylle Steinpass and Lucivani Valvassori
Romanian - by Anca Zaharia
Slovak - by Zuzana Beratsova
Slovenian - by Jasmina Kovačič
Spanish - by Paty Aguirre
Vietnamese - by Thi Le

[normawade]

I can't tell you how very much I need to hear this woman!! At the age of 76 I am so in need of these words more than I could ever you.

[ocrodger]

My life review is pretty good up until 3 years ago. Then Parkinson's popped into my life. I'm not going to say it's easy. It's been kind of tough. But I can still walk and ride a bike. I do cry a lot. I'm 67 years old. I get lonely a lot.