In the moment – Growing Older
When I was young – and even when I was mature – I had quite the wrong idea about what it was like to be old. I thought it was just slower, everything a little less acute. Perhaps, too, I felt that grey hair was an indication of a greyer, less vivid experience of life.
Now I know that I move slowly because I have less energy; that hearing less well makes it harder to have a conversation in a roomful of chattering people; that my sense of smell has deteriorated.
And yet, I’m more joyful now than I’ve ever been.
Largely that’s because I know and accept who I am. It’s also because I have learned, at least to some extent, to live ‘in the moment’ – savouring the experience of life, whatever it is, moment by moment.
There are also blessings that are reserved for older people; grandchildren, plenty of time to reflect, leisure to spend with those you love.
So, although it’s been years since I could run upstairs, I can walk up them and read a bedtime story to my grandchildren.
Although I can’t smell the coffee in the morning, I don’t have to rush off to work. I sit with my wife over breakfast and enjoy her company.
I’m no longer the fastest to solve problems and learn new skills, but I can quarry my experience for memories and images, wisdom that I can share with others.
I no longer have the responsibility and status of working as a manager, but I have time for the privilege and joy of sharing love with my friends.
And as for ‘a less vivid experience of life’ – nothing of the sort! Life is great!
Great post.
I’m with you. 😉
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Thank you so much for your comment!
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great Penny, everybody who is in a crise to become old should read this….after reading you feel like…aller-hop lets go!
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Thank you, Anie! What a lovely comment!
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with pleasure!
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Wonderfully described, we’re not so much growing older gracefully, more that we’re getting older knowingly and joyfully…
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Exactly that, Ivor. Thank you for the comment!
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Feels peaceful reading this. Thanks for sharing such a positive note.
The only thing in this list that disturbs me is the dimmed smell of coffee!! God help me with that! 😉
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You won’t necessarily lose the smell of coffee – we all age differently, as you know. You’ll probably continue to enjoy the aroma of coffee well into old age! Thank you for the comment!
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This can be said for your generation, for ours let just say.. We will be anything but happy and satisfied.. ‘Stupid millennials’..
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Never underestimate the wisdom you can accumulate through the years, Sight11, especially if you work at it. I think your generation will do at least as well as mine when it comes to finding happiness and satisfaction. And if you don’t, part of the responsibility will be ours, the ‘baby boomers’.
Thank you for your comment!
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I so empathize with your post Penny. I do think I am in a happier calmer stage of life where I often stop to look at the sky, the clouds and of course trees 😀
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Thank you for the comment, Dahlia. I love the way you are so aware of trees and their beauty, and I’m really glad to hear that you are in a happier, calmer stage of life. xx
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🙂
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