The thought of growing old and spending day after day sitting in a rocking chair, reflecting on your glory days or knitting a scarf, is one that so many of us dread. In today's society, people are terrified of aging. We have invented dozens of creams and pills that will magically erase every wrinkle and crease on your skin, giving your face a "healthier" or "more vibrant" glow. We pay thousands of dollars for plastic surgeons to lift up our faces, perk up our breasts or enlarge our butts, all in an attempt to look younger.

Every time I see a commercial for a new miracle cream or cosmetic procedure, I can't help but feel sorry for those people who see growing old as something they need to prolong or stop altogether.

I understand how the process of aging can be spooky. Your reflection in the mirror will slowly change. Your body simply doesn't work as well as it used to. You may not be able to climb a mountain or hit the dancefloor all night like you once did. However, you must remember that in the end, that doesn't make you any less alive.

Aging is a natural part of life that a person is lucky to experience. Unfortunately, not everyone makes it to 70, 80 or 90 years old, so even though nine decades may seem like plenty of time, every day goes by faster than the next. All the wrinkles on your face show that you've lived a life with laughter and tears. Every scar on your body is a memory of a battle you fought. Each gray hair proves that you have a piece of wisdom to share with the world.

There should be no shame in aging. To grow old means you've already overcome obstacles that younger people still haven't encountered. You have stories to tell and lessons to teach. Aging means you are living life, not trying to pause it or stop it artificially. If you go through each day focusing too much on what the future holds, you will forget to enjoy the present. Before you know it too much time has gone by, and you will never get that time back.

Live one day at a time, enjoy where life takes you, and embrace every wrinkle and gray hair.