Age old problem

maybenot

maybenot

Member
Location
South Australia
I put this in a new topic to make it easy to find if anyone wants to forward it

I am forwarding this to those on my Seniors email list because it is so well written.

As I've aged, I've become kinder to, and less critical of, myself. I've become my own friend.
I have seen too many dear friends leave this world, too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it, if I choose to read, or play on the computer, until 4 AM, or sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50s, 60s & 70s, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love, I will.

I will walk the beach, in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves, with abandon, if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set. They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And, eventually, I remember the important things.

Sure, over the years, my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break, when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength, and understanding, and compassion. A heart never broken, is pristine, and sterile, and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it).
I am me... like or dislike.....I don't care.

Email received today.

 

I agree as well. I do feel more free since I am older. I am not as afraid to speak my mind. And I have a deep appreciate for life. As I have lost loved ones. I love on a deeper level as well.

I remember my granny would go swimming with us. She didn't care, she wanted to cool off in the water and get some exercise instead of just sitting there on the beach. So, I always wanted to be like my granny as her attitude was - who cares what anyone else thinks, I am going to have a good time, just like the kids!!!
 

A few years ago in my late fifties if people were rude to me ,eg pushing past in queues ,nudging me with shopping trolley and not apologising I would just ignore it but I'm almost sad to say that now I give as good as I get , I abhor deliberate rudeness etc and I'm "not gonna take it anymore" lol.
Also,in the past I've always gone along with 'whatever' just to keep the peace even when it's been something that I didn't particularly want to do,well! not any more, others may put themselves out for me for a change(if they want to)

Sound unreasonable?
 
So agree with you maggis, I too have come to a place in my life where I find little that bothers me, much more to be thankful for, and an overwhelming appreciation for life and all it has to offer. I have embraced my "Natural Highlights" when I quit dying my hair 4 years ago, embraced my imperfect body and just strive to be a healthier me.
It is a great time of my life.
 
maybenot said:
I put this in a new topic to make it easy to find if anyone wants to forward it

I am forwarding this to those on my Seniors email list because it is so well written.

As I've aged, I've become kinder to, and less critical of, myself. I've become my own friend.
I have seen too many dear friends leave this world, too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it, if I choose to read, or play on the computer, until 4 AM, or sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50s, 60s & 70s, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love, I will.

I will walk the beach, in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves, with abandon, if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set. They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And, eventually, I remember the important things.

Sure, over the years, my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break, when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength, and understanding, and compassion. A heart never broken, is pristine, and sterile, and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it).
I am me... like or dislike.....I don't care.

Email received today.
Click to expand...
Cool!
 
I can see myself in some of what was written. I do a lot of thinking about the past. Probably too much. I think about two girlfriends that I had when in my teens and promised that I would marry each of them, but alas, I did not. I think about my time while I was in military school and the opportunities that I had passed on. I think about the love of my life, flying. When I hit 65, the FAA told me to return my ATP certification, I was too old. I think about my friends who have died and for some, I can visit their grave and speak to them, but for the friends that were cremated, I say Hi to them in my prayers. I don't care about my looks. I still got it or so I am told. Last thing, I'm still healthy, or at least as far as I know I am and I survived Vietnam.
 
As the OP wrote, I don't care as much what people think about me, now that I'm retired. I don't have to answer to anyone (except my wife and my dog). I can stay up late watching classic rock concerts if I want to.

But I also have no tolerance now for assholes. One little prick decided to give me a hard time at the park last summer and I let loose on him. He was calling the police on me when I finally walked away. šŸ˜„

I've also lost faith in humanity with things that have happened recently, but I'm not going to get into politics here.
 
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