Hello there and welcome to my 122nd blog.
Exactly three weeks today, I will be threescore!!
As most of you know, Moses in Psalms only promised us threescore and ten. This is quite a thing to contemplate… ten years to go…this is so flipping scary!
Freaky Friday, what am I to do?
With the speed of light, I hastily return to the real world to calm- the- farm- down. I start pondering on this, and immediately think of my friend Jimmy, who is one hundred and six years old. With all due respect to Moses, in our world now, this whole seventy years story may not be right,, and I shall just move swiftly along.
So, what does being an almost sixty-year-old actually feel like to me?
- I am so not winding down. In fact, I am doing the absolute reverse. I genuinely think that I am still winding up! I have energy and purpose and I honestly do feel that I am contributing to, creating, and making a difference in my world.
- I definitely have more appropriate confidence. I earnestly wish that this confidence had been with me during my “growing up” years, but hey, it wasn’t, and I must get over this. I think I am less concerned about people’s opinions about me, mostly, but still can quickly revert to the insecure creature of before. This does seem to follow a pattern. It rears its ugly head when I am feeling low or tired or sad. A little work in progress but heaps better than before!
- I do have more freedom to live as me and to be me, and I feel that I am living more authentically these days, but there is still my penchant for overthinking. I just need to check in on this with regularity.
- I do take greater care of my mind and body, (more on this later) but, sadly, seem to be continually plagued with one or more injuries. It would be so good if I had been more diligent and conscientious about stretching and strengthening from my thirties. However, it’s never too late to start doing this and it does not detract from my vitality.
- I am kinder to and less harsh on myself, which is really good. Another fairly recent advancement, and, I have to say that this is still a veritable work in action. I am really trying, believe me, and I am cautiously optimistic that this is working.
- Perhaps age has made me a little more adventurous. Contrary to popular belief, I am actually not an adventure bunny. I am afraid most of the time that I ski, I do not like roller coasters and am really frightened of speed. In other less scary ways, I take myself out of my comfort zone. Recently I have taken a trip alone although I missed my Favourite terribly, I speak in public on subjects I sometimes feel that I do not know enough about, and perhaps I even fake it on the odd occasion when doing some other stuff (hoping to make it, very soon).
- Curiosity is so my biz. Some life experiences have led me to this, and it almost feels like curiosity has become a bit of an addiction for me. Curiosity tends to create more curiosity, and this keeps my mind active, engaged, and frankly, youthful. Would that I had a deep interest in politics, but I never have had and l dont believe that I ever will. Also not a train smash.
So, this is all fine and well, but I still feel I need some advice on how to manage this rather large milestone.
- Focusing on what I have built and done
This is a great one. I have been blessed, and certainly still am, to be surrounded by the most awesomely wonderful people, family, friends, colleagues, and patients. I have gathered wisdom and skills on all platforms over my six decades so far on this mortal coil. I plan to continue to do this for as long as I am able. I have unwittingly become resilient, often during, and, then after, some not so many fun experiences and life challenges. I have mountains and mountains of memories and am thankful and grateful for the fact that I just love taking pics, because this has enabled me to dig up so many old memories which have further enhanced them, keeping my memories alive in my heart and mind.
- Redefining 60
Sixty today is so far removed from the sixty a few generations ago. The experiences and capabilities associated with being sixty have most definitely shifted, with so many folks feeling younger, having more vitality, and delaying or redefining traditional old age milestones, thanks in no small way to the advancements in health, longevity and changing attitudes. I am not done, and I so often feel as though I am only just beginning and that is just so cool. Sixty is the new thirty! Another chapter beckons. What will it hold?
- Reframing the milestone
I am not turning sixty. I am privileged and blessed to get to turn sixty. Many people are denied reaching this very important milestone. How good is it to be alive? To be able to move, speak, laugh, love, experience, and live. I must make the most of every moment! Carpe Diem!
- Caring for my body and mind.
I have discussed this above, but on deeper reflection, I could definitely improve on this. My eating is not as good as it could or should be, and I could perhaps(understatement) imbibe less of the bubbly stuff and the vino. I want folk to think that I am such a healthy lass, but actually I am often not. Another point for me to put my mind to, but that is fine. I definitely score in the moving often and consistently department.
- Planning
I love planning, be it a holiday, a dinner at us, a course to study or a new hobby to try. I do tend to enjoy the odd course, so learning new things is not a problem for me. we love entertaining so this is covered. My new hobby is learning French, and we are in the throes of planning a celebration… my party this year, and My Favourite’s next year! So. all good with this.
- Feeling the feelings moderately
It is normal for me to feel scared, anxious, nervous, frightened… and there are a few more adjectives I could add to this… about this ENORMOUS milestone. Safe to say, I am feeling this, and I do not like the thought of time on earth getting less. However this is a reality, I cannot change it, but I can make the most of all the time I have, and I can put on my Big Girl Panties and get on with it. I can ponder and reflect on this for a short time, but then I need to let go and control the things that I am able to.
- Mindset
If I can consistently keep a positive mindset, this could so easily be my decade of freedom. I can keep learning about myself. I can have the wisdom and courage to do things my way. I will not get bogged down by nonsense and trivial stuff. Actually, I just think that I should continue to have fun and this will keep my mindset good!
- Keeping youthful
I could perhaps go back to doing some of the things I used to do. Dancing on tables, singing at the top of my voice, an unrecognizable version of Lady in Red, or some of the beyond vulgar varsity songs that were part of my repertoire. Sadly, I do not think any of the above will serve me in maintaining my youthfulness. I haven’t done any of the numerous non-surgical professional treatments to my face (yet) or the surgical treatments (probably won’t ever) but I will just aim to keep a youthful outlook on life! Let’s hope this works!
- Being thankful and being kind
I can honestly say that most days I count my blessings, and that is big for me, in spite of a fair amount of stress in our lives and I will do my best to continue to do this. I will also to continue my daily acts of kindness, God willing.
In three weeks, I am turning sixty and this is just great!
I don’t promise to stop trying to figure everything out, fix, explain, solve, and overthink but I shall endeavour to also just be and let the” amazing wave of life” move through me.
I will feel hurt, experience sorrow, be lost at times, and often wonder what it is all about, but I will try not to let this bring me down. This is all part of “the dance of life”, and this too will teach me how to truly be alive.
At 60, the world is still my oyster, and I plan to seize it with both hands.
I cannot wait for so many more “bests” over the next decades!
Now let the festivities begin!
Wishing you all a magnificent week.