POSITIVELY AGING

by Mauverneen

Yikes! I just had a birthday. No, I’m not going to tell you which one, but it’s one of those milestones most people don’t look forward to and find out once it’s over that it’s not so bad after all. Actually – I like my birthday. It’s a day for me. Myself. And my family makes it special by taking me to dinner, showering me with gifts and bringing cake. I insist on cake.

I once read a birthday card that said one’s age is simply mind over matter – if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter. I got a chuckle out of it but it got me thinking, that’s pretty much true. If you don’t mind it doesn’t matter. If you don’t dwell on the number, but more on how you feel and what you do, rather than what you can’t do or don’t do, life is much easier - much happier. I don’t know how I got to be this age but I’m here although in my head I’m still about 25.

My first published article was for the Chicago Tribune - on turning 40. I looked at it with humor and a bit of nostalgia. Which is pretty much how I look at life in general. Mostly with humor. If I didn’t laugh at myself now and then I’d have gone crazy years ago.

They say Life begins at 40, so shortly after I turned 40 I started a list – of all the things I did since turning 40. It’s pretty awesome I think. I’ve done more in the years since then than before.

But life can begin at any age - my mother had her first book published when she was 80!

Anyway, some of the things my list includes is – seeing the Pacific Ocean, seeing the Atlantic Ocean, owning my OWN car, riding in a limo, going to London, going to Africa, going to Paris, moving out of state, taking a college course, riding in a hot air balloon, being published. 

That’s the shortened version, but the point is that age is just a number. It doesn’t describe or define you. I have found, for myself at least, that with age comes a bit more freedom. Freedom to travel, freedom to speak my mind, freedom to settle in to who I really am.

My birthday is like my own private New Year. It’s a day that’s all mine. A day to have fun, be introspective, set new goals, make resolutions, maybe leave something behind.

Aging? It’s up to you. But celebrate! Celebrate you!

 

p.s. What I hoped was a 'glitch' last week not allowing me to add photos, appears to be a change to the site. I can no longer upload photos from my pc, only from certain websites it seems. And since I do not wish to post photos to their site, or upload them from my webcam or my phone (please! Phone?)  I will be changing my blog host. If I've missed something please enlighten me. I'll keep you posted!

As always, words and photos are my own, and require permission to reprint. However, feel free to share the blog in it's entirety. In fact, I encourage it!

Interested in photo prints? Contact me! email: maureenblevins@yahoo.com or visit my website: http://mauverneen.com