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better eating, better living, Birthday, exercise, family, getting old, more love, relationships, talents
“There is not love of life without despair about life.”
― Albert Camus, The Stranger
This has been a surprisingly difficult post to write. Turning 48 it is not all about cake and candles, it is all about being near 50. Having another birthday shouldn’t be a big deal for ‘positive’ me, but yet I am facing a multitude of feelings and not all of them are good.
All of a sudden there is this looming sense of dread, finality and mortality. What have I done with all prior years? I have this fear of life escaping between my fingers while I daydream about it. I fear wasting talent and good healthy years.
“The day you lose your sense of wonder is the day you grow old.”
― Marty Rubin
My mother is turning 79 in a couple of months and, even though she is a dynamo, is amazingly sharp and in great shape, I see the years in her. And I see myself in her. When did she get old?
This post was totally different and way too long and contemplative of the past that I cannot change. I have made mistakes, took turns when I should have gone straight, jumped head first when I should have tiptoed in, but still there is a sense of pride in doing life as I want and not as others expect. There is beauty in following my heart! I will relish on that!
“Youth is wasted on the young.”― Oscar Wilde
So good bye long post, the whole message in this post is only 2 lines. It is dedicated to my twin sister (who has been in the receiving end of a lot of criticism lately). No long lists that I never look back at. Just 2 lines that will improve my life and my years.
- More water, sleep and exercise. Less mindless eating.
- More patience and listening. Less reaction and criticism.
“The day you lose your sense of wonder is the day you grow old.” ― Marty Rubin
I will make myself accountable by being in the moment and keeping close attention to my actions. Progress will be met with rewards (foot massages here I come!!) Failures, well there is not failure in trying my best!
“Mortal as I am, I know that I am born for a day. But when I follow at my pleasure the serried multitude of the stars in their circular course, my feet no longer touch the earth.” ― Ptolemy
Blessed with a Star on the Forehead 
I understand those feelings and mulled over where I’ve been and what I’ve done with my life.
I’m a tad bit older (51), and have seen life through different eyes for several years; however, a real difference over the past few weeks.
I recently learned how precious life really, really is by spending time with a dear friend; a friend with pancreatic cancer. Talk about a wake up call. Watching someone you care about fight for his life, and getting sick over and over again, where all you can do is rub their back, is sobering to say the least. I left his home a different person.
While I have been on a journey of self discovery most of my adult life, that moment gave me a jolt.
I wish for you good health and happiness as you celebrate your next decade of life coming around the corner. God bless.
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Thank you so much!
I am sorry you had to witness your friend’s battle. At the same time I am sure it was priceless for him to have you there and for you to be there.
That is a wake up call that we all need every now and then to better appreciate our health and family and friends.
I do have to forget about the number (age) and pay attention to the quality in the years.
Many blessings to you! 🙂
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Happy birthday! Enjoy the moment xx
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Thank you! Blessings! 🙂
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there’s a comfort in being who you are – I think being around children helps keep us young, and loving others and helping those in need – and squeezing time to laugh at yourself happily works too.
May each of your years be more blessed
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Great ways to keep young! Always learning something new is also another one. Thank you and Blessings! 🙂
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I’m 47, so this post spoke to me. Your two lines would improve anyone’s life!! Happy Birthday!! Celeste 🙂
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Hi Celeste
Thank you and enjoy being 47 for as long as you can! Blessings! 🙂
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Happy Birthday. Don’t worry about age…… wea re all in it like that and I feel growing older is good as I learn so much with each year. So it is a good thing. I like your 2 lines, perfect life! Go for it.
Live in the moment , enjoy each day and love life!
P.S. I will be 53 soon… and I have a date tonight…… I feel good! 🙂
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Thank you!! You (like me) are young at heart, spirit and looks!! there is no holding us back!! How was the date? (I hope it is worth writing about it! Blessings! 🙂
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A quick note: the best date I had, he had manners, was kind, funny, cuddly, likes a lot of things I like. And he smiles with his eyes! ( he ticked all the boxes- I am getting fussy now and my standards raised) Beautiful kiss at the end, and he walked me to the station. I had a great time and we will see each other again. ( He liked me lots too) I am so happy! A really lovely guy with a great atittude! 🙂
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Thank you for the update. That is so awesome! I am doing a happy dance for you! Like you I am getting fussy too, but having higher standards is a good thing in my book. He sounds like such a great person, and you deserve the best. I am rooting for you and him!! A blessed weekend (with hopefully more contact from Mr. Lovely guy!! 🙂
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Happy birthday! It is not so bad! I am 10 years older than you, which means I face the 60’s!! Now that is scary!
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ha!! you got me beat! but I am hoping that after 50 birthdays are not so scary. I am hoping everything takes a calmer turn. Many blessings! 🙂
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Carpe Diem! and Happy Birthday! I left 48 back there quite a while ago, but have just stayed at 49 since the following year. Didn’t help when my husband had a surprise 50th birthday party for me!
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Husbands, even when they do something nice they mess up LOL How dare he!!
My plan is to start going backwards, next year I will be back at 47 (lucky I have no husband to mess up my plan lol
Thank you and Many blessings!!
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When I turned fifty i resolved to live by calm patience and listening. Now I am sixty, I have resolved it is time for action and finding my voice.
Happy Birthday. Enjoy 🙂
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All great things to achieve! Thank you so much! blessings! 🙂
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You said it beautifully. Aging teaches acceptance and the value of living in the moment – two things I knew I should pay attention to and lately begin to see why. See if you can find a copy of David Budbill’s poem, The First Green of Spring. I think you might like it.
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Thank you! I am going to look for that poem, thank you for the referral.
Acceptance and living in the moment are two things that are a constant struggle for me. Hopefully it will come with age.
Many blessings! 🙂
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Love this post as I reflect too in what my life is about. I recently decided that I will buy a pink amethyst ring from Ben Moss to declaremy self love and coming of age. To celebrate how far I have come, and how much there is to look forward to in seeing all that i have left behind. My counsellor encouraged me to look at such anniversaries for positive ones too. It made me realize I needed to create them for myself. Just make them up. Celebrating you. And you might not see it, but I am overjoyed everytime I have the opportunity to read about you, even in the moments where we might feel less blessed, perspective counts. Another year, another birthday, but there will never be someone just like you. Hugsss
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Hi Pink
You always have a way to boost up my spirits. I think you have become my wise little sister!
Celebrating me!! What a great concept! That is a great idea to create solo celebrations. I should create some and buy myself something special.
An amethyst ring sounds awesome! Is that your birth stone?
I am glad that you are seeing a counselor, having an input from someone outside our circle of family and friends is always a good idea.
I appreciate your always reading and commenting, it motivates me to write and share my feelings.
Many blessings to you on your incredible journey!
🙂
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Totally my birthstone! The ring has like pink amethyst, rose quartz and white and pink sapphires in it.. all to represent, beauty, love and spirituality in my life. I decided long ago to be my own best buddy and husband. I mean, I could wait for someone to give it to me, but I realized I need to start doing things for myself too! And the funny thing is, you really DO start to fall in love with yourself.. because you are so nice to yourself, this endless love tornado.. 😀 higher than before. 😀
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“endless love tornado”!!! I like the sound of that!!! The ring sounds beautiful! Any chance of you posting a picture?
You are inspiring me to be even kinder to myself. thank you!
A blessed weekend to you! 🙂
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Awww.. thank you!! Ironically.. after gifting myself with the image of wearing it… I actually decided to hold off on it for now.. its a bit pricey and um.. I kinda wanted to get a Mac.. hahaha.. I guess prioritizing helps.. or just being happy with what I have.. :D… hugsss… to you and your self care!!
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so proud of you! so wise, making smart purchases is a sign of growth and realizing the need to be happy with the things we have is another!
I overspend while Mom was here and I balance that going on a strict non-spending diet now!
Many blessings Powerful girl! 🙂
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Hugss.. haha.. well.. i kinda bought cowboy boots and a hat this past week.. so not sure if i’ve been the best.. work has been stressing me out and that usually means getting sick and making shopping.. sigh… I will get better too! Hugsss
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I know how you feel, work has me stressing out and overdoing! I bet you look awesome in those boots and hat, so enjoy them! 🙂 Feel better and many blessings! 🙂
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Hugsss and you too!!!!
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I also find the -8’s to be moving. Then when the -0 birthday finally arrives, I have gotten over it, accepted it.
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Something about the 8 being so close to 0… I feel the same way, I think 50 would be much easier by the time I reach it. I plan focusing on the infinity of the 8 for now. Blessings! 🙂
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I’ll e 48 this fall–hearing “times winged chariot drawing near” every damn day.
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Ignore those little voices and enjoy being 47 while you can, soon you will belong to my club. I have to tell you 48 is not so bad! 🙂 Many blessings! 🙂
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Well, I have a decade on you, and face those same issues. More so when I read about people younger than me dying. And the doctor wants to do a colonoscopy. And my BP and cholesterol are a bit high.
Although a firefighter/EMT and hence taking the time to be in shape, it’s harder work than it used to be. I have more goals and aspirations that I’ve ever had, and yet that time looms before me. How long will I be able to go they way I am?
Part of my meditation practice is visualizing that final day. The day I leave everything behind. There will be no profession, friends, lovers, children, pets, weapons, or myths. Sometimes it saddens me, but then sometimes it encourages me. It helps me see that what really counts is unseen. Will I take that last breath content, peaceful and happy?
With that, I bid you many happy birthdays.
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Thank you so much! I relate to a lot of what you have mentioned. it is as if suddenly I am hit in the face with the fact that I got old. There are health issues all around, my body is not responding as it used to, and on top it all, I am alone, not lonely but alone.
As far as your meditation practice, it is something that I have tried unsuccessfully in the past. I need to try again. I am not sure about visualizing a final moment. Pardon my ignorance, but why? Why do you do that? I am curious as I never heard of people doing that before (unless they were terminally ill).
I have been trying to be in the moment and not in the past or future, so that is a new concept for me.
Thank you for stopping by and introducing new ideas. Many blessings! 🙂
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Happy birthday. =) I hear the anxiety in your voice because I have been there. Lately though I just don’t care. Everything in our culture tells us to fear aging — especially if you are a woman because a woman’s appearance is usually how most people judge her. I recently decided that my years are something to feel good about. I really have learned somethings from the past and each year is a chance to get it right. Cheers!
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I love your words, specially the idea that each new year means a new beginning and a new chance to get it right – very wise and the best way to look at things. I didn’t even mention in my post but the pressure to look a certain way does weigh heavily on my mind. I think I will borrow your “I don’t care” attitude. At the end of the day it is my life. Many blessings and thanks for the fresh outlook! 🙂
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Thought-provoking. Thank you.
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Thank you for reading! 🙂 Blessings! 🙂
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Happy belated birthday! I tend to visit people in spurts! Sorry, due to time constraints on the library’s computer! But I do enjoy when I get a chance to read and indulge in several of your posts at one time. It really helps build a picture of how you write and who you are!
I feel growing older, simply, is a great way to be! I find comfort and joy in simple things, like a child’s world of wonder. I look at life that way!
Happy new year of your life, if not the day at least I got the month… smiles, Robin
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Thank you! I do the same, I am actually worst because I normally have comments (well I have something to say about everything) but rarely do.
Living simply is a great way to live, I keep trying, not always succeeding.
Many blessings! 🙂
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