I have but one thing on my getting older bucket list that I must do before passing away from this planet...I must, not just need to, or want to....Oh, my hands are starting to sweat just texting about it, I feel my blood pressure rising from excitement, ok it is....wait give me a sec, I'm getting emotional....its......its......being able to....oK, I'm fine don't call anyone....it's pushing that button on my chain around my neck and being able to say out loud with pride, having over paid for this service for years and not using it, but now my moment arrives and I blurt out with glee....< "I'VE FALLEN AND I CAN'T GET UP!" ...oh the joy that leaps out of my soul! That's a rush of adrenaline that matches my whoop -dee-doos off the mountains in fresh powder when I was younger. Life is sweet isn't it!
Is There ANYTHING Good About Getting Older?
- Thread starter seoulsearch
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J
Hmm...well I look at it as the time I will finally be able to travel the world as I desire. I work in an industry where I see many of the older generation and though some are frail, most keep very active, travel and enjoy being a grandparent. All are very happy, feel blessed and have a great understanding of the world and compare it to when they grew up. As my younger brother died a few years back at age 35, I look at every day as a blessing. My best friends husband was killed this year while riding his bike. So every day is precious and no matter how old I get I will live it to the best I can with GOD's help.
you can glean much about one's faith about how they view growing older as a single person, because growing older alone strikes fear in so many hearts. and even though i've been single my entire life, i always struggled with how that might play out.
some of the things that i cherish and have come to be very grateful for as i grow older:
+ seeing my fellow humans, and brothers and sisters with a far more soft and less judgmental light. to people whom i have previously viewed as miserable and unloveable creations, i see as folks who are hurting and have been deeply and painfully wounded. to those who have hurt me, i find it far easier to to get over offense. aside from the momentary surge of annoyance, i can't remember the last time someone made me mad.
and considering the levels of anger i had when i was younger, that's kind of a nice thing. : )
+ i don't feel beholden to anyone's approval or that i fulfill expectation. or convince anyone they should choose my own path, except me. i am okay that i am misunderstood (especially among my family and work circles. oh, and by some of my church) even thought of as "____". i can honestly say, i care very little about what most people think of me, if not amused. i have spent the better part of my life having people tell me that i need to _____.
having so much passion for what i believe (and choose) in combination with growing older gifts you in remarkable ways. such as having the temerity to speak and live your life, the courage to stand alone, and the confidence to keep choosing, keep living, and keep trying. age reminds you that you've already tried living in other ways, and sees the beauty in being true to yourself.
+ overwhelming gratitude for everything. there was a time in my life where i was naive and foolish enough to credit myself with a lot of what was going well. now, looking back, i see so much grace and mercy. so much tolerance. so much love. i have days where i am so overwhelmed with gratitude that i am gobsmacked by how much i've been blessed with.
so often when i meet or hear of someone who has struggled or survived things that i have lived through and are in jail, met ugly demise, have full-blown hedonistic lifestyles or living with horrible repercussions it just makes me so grateful how God has been so faithful, generous and merciful with me.
+ learning to redefine beauty and allure in my own ways. for many years, the only definition of beauty i had was crafted by someone else, and it was a critical and unforgiving one. one of the things i cherish most is my own definition of what is attractive and beautiful, because it's no longer something i have to thrust upon myself with heavy-handed consciousness. and even more, what i find attractive in a man has changed so much from where it once was that i scarcely recognize its origin.
+ acceptance and confidence in myself, and the very things that i would try so hard to hide or felt obligated to downplay so that others are comfortable. there was a time in my life where i spent two hours getting ready every morning, which included straightening my very curly hair. i spent a small fortune to be "acceptable" in the eyes of others and what i felt was required of me, as a woman. feeling free from all that, and perfectly comfortable running around town in nothing but chapstick and my curly hair in whatever mischievous state it's in is a freedom not lost on me. : )
oh, and i'm grateful for being able to take a compliment without feeling like the ground is going to swallow me. and one day, i hope to take a compliment without spending too much time analyzing their motives. : )
in my life, everything has improved with age. well, almost everything. ; p
+ trust in God completely and believe that what He wants for me will be more enjoyable that the fun and fulfillment i could find on my own rebelliously. it wasn't until i was nearly 40 that i could pray with confidence God, i trust you with my life. i have an earnest desire to seek Him, and conform to Him that used to be an enormous effort in obedience and following "what i should do".
finally, as woman never married and childless, i no longer need my "own" to feel as though i have them because of all the things i'm involved in, and because i see my role and opportunities so very differently. this spring, i prepared myself for one of the jr. high girls i volunteer with to move in for awhile if necessary. even the wiggly little boy who can't stand still in the grocery line is mine for a few minutes, challenging me to a stare-down while we pass the time. there is a countless number of childless and under-parented kids who need more and of course, people who care and love them. and when and if i want more, there will always be more.
and i'm pretty sure i'm the only adult who has been on the church playground in forever. : )
some of the things that i cherish and have come to be very grateful for as i grow older:
+ seeing my fellow humans, and brothers and sisters with a far more soft and less judgmental light. to people whom i have previously viewed as miserable and unloveable creations, i see as folks who are hurting and have been deeply and painfully wounded. to those who have hurt me, i find it far easier to to get over offense. aside from the momentary surge of annoyance, i can't remember the last time someone made me mad.
and considering the levels of anger i had when i was younger, that's kind of a nice thing. : )
+ i don't feel beholden to anyone's approval or that i fulfill expectation. or convince anyone they should choose my own path, except me. i am okay that i am misunderstood (especially among my family and work circles. oh, and by some of my church) even thought of as "____". i can honestly say, i care very little about what most people think of me, if not amused. i have spent the better part of my life having people tell me that i need to _____.
having so much passion for what i believe (and choose) in combination with growing older gifts you in remarkable ways. such as having the temerity to speak and live your life, the courage to stand alone, and the confidence to keep choosing, keep living, and keep trying. age reminds you that you've already tried living in other ways, and sees the beauty in being true to yourself.
+ overwhelming gratitude for everything. there was a time in my life where i was naive and foolish enough to credit myself with a lot of what was going well. now, looking back, i see so much grace and mercy. so much tolerance. so much love. i have days where i am so overwhelmed with gratitude that i am gobsmacked by how much i've been blessed with.
so often when i meet or hear of someone who has struggled or survived things that i have lived through and are in jail, met ugly demise, have full-blown hedonistic lifestyles or living with horrible repercussions it just makes me so grateful how God has been so faithful, generous and merciful with me.
+ learning to redefine beauty and allure in my own ways. for many years, the only definition of beauty i had was crafted by someone else, and it was a critical and unforgiving one. one of the things i cherish most is my own definition of what is attractive and beautiful, because it's no longer something i have to thrust upon myself with heavy-handed consciousness. and even more, what i find attractive in a man has changed so much from where it once was that i scarcely recognize its origin.
+ acceptance and confidence in myself, and the very things that i would try so hard to hide or felt obligated to downplay so that others are comfortable. there was a time in my life where i spent two hours getting ready every morning, which included straightening my very curly hair. i spent a small fortune to be "acceptable" in the eyes of others and what i felt was required of me, as a woman. feeling free from all that, and perfectly comfortable running around town in nothing but chapstick and my curly hair in whatever mischievous state it's in is a freedom not lost on me. : )
oh, and i'm grateful for being able to take a compliment without feeling like the ground is going to swallow me. and one day, i hope to take a compliment without spending too much time analyzing their motives. : )
in my life, everything has improved with age. well, almost everything. ; p
+ trust in God completely and believe that what He wants for me will be more enjoyable that the fun and fulfillment i could find on my own rebelliously. it wasn't until i was nearly 40 that i could pray with confidence God, i trust you with my life. i have an earnest desire to seek Him, and conform to Him that used to be an enormous effort in obedience and following "what i should do".
finally, as woman never married and childless, i no longer need my "own" to feel as though i have them because of all the things i'm involved in, and because i see my role and opportunities so very differently. this spring, i prepared myself for one of the jr. high girls i volunteer with to move in for awhile if necessary. even the wiggly little boy who can't stand still in the grocery line is mine for a few minutes, challenging me to a stare-down while we pass the time. there is a countless number of childless and under-parented kids who need more and of course, people who care and love them. and when and if i want more, there will always be more.
and i'm pretty sure i'm the only adult who has been on the church playground in forever. : )
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Excellent post!
Particularly this part, reinforcing identity:
"+ i don't feel beholden to anyone's approval or that i fulfill expectation. or convince anyone they should choose my own path, except me. i am okay that i am misunderstood (especially among my family and work circles. oh, and by some of my church) even thought of as "____". i can honestly say, i care very little about what most people think of me, if not amused. i have spent the better part of my life having people tell me that i need to _____."
Particularly this part, reinforcing identity:
"+ i don't feel beholden to anyone's approval or that i fulfill expectation. or convince anyone they should choose my own path, except me. i am okay that i am misunderstood (especially among my family and work circles. oh, and by some of my church) even thought of as "____". i can honestly say, i care very little about what most people think of me, if not amused. i have spent the better part of my life having people tell me that i need to _____."
Hey!
I noted this thing:
"finally, as woman never married and childless, i no longer need my "own" to feel as though i have them because of all the things i'm involved in, and because i see my role and opportunities so very differently. this spring,..."
Aren´t YOU there on summer times?
Sorry!
I just saw that paper too late.
Seriously now:
Mónica:
I´ve loved you.
No matter what.
I know you DON´T need anything but, this is felt from ()
from Pensacola!
<3
I noted this thing:
"finally, as woman never married and childless, i no longer need my "own" to feel as though i have them because of all the things i'm involved in, and because i see my role and opportunities so very differently. this spring,..."
Aren´t YOU there on summer times?
Sorry!
I just saw that paper too late.
Seriously now:
Mónica:
I´ve loved you.
No matter what.
I know you DON´T need anything but, this is felt from ()
from Pensacola!
<3
Well I've got 11 (or 16) years to go, but........SENIOR DISCOUNTS!!!!!
