I went out riding my e-trike 20 miles this morning, thinking how lucky I am that I can do this and, pushing 80, not be too beat up the next day. I no longer do what I did at 70 and younger but I'm still a good example to myself! And I love and appreciate my beautiful body.
That’s a statement, Noel. I felt the same way some years ago when I went running on my birthday, sometime in my sixties, and was so grateful. I can’t run right now but I can walk, working on hiking, and that is enough for now!
As an oncology nurse working with kids, I learned this lesson early. Many of my patients didn’t survive to be able to complain about their age. So, I knew - deep down soul level - that every day is a gift. And have tried to live that way always.
Change happens from the moment we're born, yet for some reason, it seems like such a surprise the day we acknowledge that ache in our back or the knees that don't work like they did ten years ago. From there, it so often happens that people start fighting it, or focus on it, and use it to create many reasons for not doing something.
Perhaps this is when true aging and decline occur?
As elders, Lucille and I are deeply grateful for every moment we breathe, every moan, every ache, as it teaches us to seek answers for what's going on, and to learn a new way to move in the world. We may not like it, but we don't fight for limitations. Instead, we pack everything into our suitcases and meet the world through curiosity and adventure.
I want to print that, and frame it, and hang it on the wall in a very prominent space.
I have the scars and the wrinkles. At 59 I was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. Now 7 years later, still going strong, living in gratitude, and getting more wrinkles but fewer scars
when i was 34 i entered university again and felt really old among my young colleagues, all still fresh from school, still teenagers. i felt so old i started dressing more like what i thought was “adequate” for an older woman. what a ridiculous thought and what a waste of precious years!
So many thanks, Alessandra. The Too Old for This inspiration came from an exchange with a woman whose family came to look at my house for potential purchase some years ago. She was a strong, lithe 35 with a couple of youngsters who were bouncing around my deck. She said, with absolute certainty, "I'm too old to start marathoning." I wanted to spit, I was so damned angry. She was half my age. Here I am, someone who STARTED adventure travel at 60, and she's complaining she's too old to start running distances. Dear God the shit we believe and the cost to us and our lives!
I went out riding my e-trike 20 miles this morning, thinking how lucky I am that I can do this and, pushing 80, not be too beat up the next day. I no longer do what I did at 70 and younger but I'm still a good example to myself! And I love and appreciate my beautiful body.
That’s a statement, Noel. I felt the same way some years ago when I went running on my birthday, sometime in my sixties, and was so grateful. I can’t run right now but I can walk, working on hiking, and that is enough for now!
If you can still genuinely & spontaneously smile at the age of 60 + that makes your wrinkles & frown lines kinda look beside the point.
As an oncology nurse working with kids, I learned this lesson early. Many of my patients didn’t survive to be able to complain about their age. So, I knew - deep down soul level - that every day is a gift. And have tried to live that way always.
Excellent! Bravo! Thank you for sharing this.
Change happens from the moment we're born, yet for some reason, it seems like such a surprise the day we acknowledge that ache in our back or the knees that don't work like they did ten years ago. From there, it so often happens that people start fighting it, or focus on it, and use it to create many reasons for not doing something.
Perhaps this is when true aging and decline occur?
As elders, Lucille and I are deeply grateful for every moment we breathe, every moan, every ache, as it teaches us to seek answers for what's going on, and to learn a new way to move in the world. We may not like it, but we don't fight for limitations. Instead, we pack everything into our suitcases and meet the world through curiosity and adventure.
What a marvelous comment! Yes! Yes and YES!
I want to print that, and frame it, and hang it on the wall in a very prominent space.
I have the scars and the wrinkles. At 59 I was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. Now 7 years later, still going strong, living in gratitude, and getting more wrinkles but fewer scars
Cheering for every word of this!
Excellent message!
"Make friends with your mirror" is the best line ever!! It can be difficult to love what we see sometimes but it's necessary ❤️
I’m working on it. Some days it’s easier than others….
when i was 34 i entered university again and felt really old among my young colleagues, all still fresh from school, still teenagers. i felt so old i started dressing more like what i thought was “adequate” for an older woman. what a ridiculous thought and what a waste of precious years!
you are such an inspiration for me. thank you!
So many thanks, Alessandra. The Too Old for This inspiration came from an exchange with a woman whose family came to look at my house for potential purchase some years ago. She was a strong, lithe 35 with a couple of youngsters who were bouncing around my deck. She said, with absolute certainty, "I'm too old to start marathoning." I wanted to spit, I was so damned angry. She was half my age. Here I am, someone who STARTED adventure travel at 60, and she's complaining she's too old to start running distances. Dear God the shit we believe and the cost to us and our lives!