Aging Gracefully – Forget That

So many thoughts flood in when thinking of the aging process. First, is it a winnable battle? Yes, and no. I know I will give my best and die trying, I joke because Father Time is undefeated. I can’t feel bad about that outcome because losing, in the end, is inevitable, of course.

Here’s the thing – it’s the 7th inning, and my team is down 7 to 1. I hope I get to play the full nine innings, but with darkness closing in a little more each year, who knows. Of course, I am grateful for getting this far because it’s not a given, as many friends lost the opportunity to win the aging dilemma with the game being called early.

Being down on the scoreboard and late in the game, some may settle and chalk it up as a loss. Others have no choice but to do that as their health prevents the good fight. Still, others decide to stay and fight tooth and nail until it’s over. The latter is how I hope to deal with this aging game. I know as I approach 68 years, it’s only a number, but it’s a challenge I don’t choose to embrace but have little choice. My philosophy comes from some lyrics to Toby Keith’s song - Don’t Let the Old Man In.

“Don’t let the old man in
I want to live me some more
Can’t leave it up to him
He’s knocking at my door”

Of all the thoughts, the one that blows the mind is how fast 68 came. I could swear A few days ago, I was in my twenties and roaming second base - living the dream. A couple of days ago, it was all about realizing there was more to life than me and was about raising a family. Just yesterday, the kids had grown, and my wife and I got reacquainted with the quietness. And here we are, ugh.

“When he rides up on his horse
and you feel that cold bitter wind
Look out your window and smile
Don’t let the old man in”

Advantages of Age

It’s a struggle to find any advantages of aging besides grandkids, and no, having fewer responsibilities is not an advantage in my mind. But I must say another benefit of age is being able to stay in the moment much better than in the past. When young, I  always looked forward to the next big event – be it tomorrow, the next week, month, or year. I couldn’t wait to get the tedious day-to-day experiences over. Now, there is little better than enjoying the drab. It’s a privilege to have hour after hour with things that seemed blasé in the past. Each hour is precious now, whereas, in the past, I couldn’t wait to finish things.

And more  from Toby Keith:

“Ask yourself how old you’d be
If you didn’t know the day you were born.”

That is also the good news, I think; I feel like I’m twenty – most days, at least. Perhaps another positive is that many experiences lead to knowledge to pass on to others who are still in the game's early innings. Here are some life lessons to maybe prevent others from saying what I do a lot, “I wish I would have known that then.”

Top Life Lessons

1.     Live in the moment – every moment. Yes, the regularity and even boredom may seem eternal, but you will miss them as they go by so quickly.

A constant message I tell my students parents - don’t worry so much about that potential scholarship - enjoy the now because before you know it, poof - their playing day are over.

2.     Look for the good in things, first; it’s there if you search enough.

Dwelling on the negatives makes each day go by without the joy you should feel.

3.    Be true to self.
Valuable wisdom from an unknown author:

“No written word, nor spoken plea
can teach our youth what they should be
nor all the books on all the shelves
for it is what the teachers are themselves.”

 No pressure; but it’s all on you!

4.    Never forget how you treat others.
And this, a take-off from a Maya Angelou quote:

“A short time from now, people will not remember what you said.
But, forever, they will remember how you made them feel.”

 Remember that the next time you know you are right and unwilling to listen to another’s viewpoint.

5.     Know what brings contentment.
An elderly man was asked if he wished he would have accomplished more in his life; he responded, "No, I wish I would have loved more."

Therein is the secret to happiness – loving more and understanding it's not so much what you do; it's how you do it.

Now, if this article had been about the disadvantages of aging, it would be much longer, but who wants to read about that? I hope I am a good “closer” to finish the nine innings, if not extras. Happy Trails