My mother never told me a lot about growing old so I'm having to figure it out for myself. I've learned that when the time comes the course is determined by how I have handled other crises. It is a new path, but not an unfamiliar one. You take a step or two, and the next step is revealed. You can't see the end from here, but the beginning is available.
As Winston Churchill said, "This is not the end. It's not even the beginning of the end, but it is the end of the beginning." I have things yet to learn and I relish the opportunity. O.K. lets say I'm old, but it aint over this it's over. I'm glad I still have lots to learn. I'm glad I've learned what I have since I need all that to handle this. Somebody famous said getting old isn't for wimps. Now I get to ask "What is it for?"
Maybe it's for wisdom. But I just said there are things I still need to learn. So I get to pass along some things and mentor people who still have more to learn than me. Now may be the time to deepen my understanding of what I already know. When I try to do that, I find that I'm not as smart as I thought.
I like to blog. Talking about what I've learned is wonderful. Sharing it is sort of mentoring. I hope it is interesting or helpful to someone else. Getting this old and learning this much hasn't been easy, so about the only thing that justifies it is hoping that someone else can benefit from my experience. Just reflecting on getting old is not all that great, but forming a theory and formulating a plan has promise.George Valliant has noted stages in late adulthood that were not recognized just a few years ago, so maybe getting old is newer than I thought.
For my other insights into aging see: Getting Older-Getting Better.
As Winston Churchill said, "This is not the end. It's not even the beginning of the end, but it is the end of the beginning." I have things yet to learn and I relish the opportunity. O.K. lets say I'm old, but it aint over this it's over. I'm glad I still have lots to learn. I'm glad I've learned what I have since I need all that to handle this. Somebody famous said getting old isn't for wimps. Now I get to ask "What is it for?"
Maybe it's for wisdom. But I just said there are things I still need to learn. So I get to pass along some things and mentor people who still have more to learn than me. Now may be the time to deepen my understanding of what I already know. When I try to do that, I find that I'm not as smart as I thought.
I like to blog. Talking about what I've learned is wonderful. Sharing it is sort of mentoring. I hope it is interesting or helpful to someone else. Getting this old and learning this much hasn't been easy, so about the only thing that justifies it is hoping that someone else can benefit from my experience. Just reflecting on getting old is not all that great, but forming a theory and formulating a plan has promise.George Valliant has noted stages in late adulthood that were not recognized just a few years ago, so maybe getting old is newer than I thought.
For my other insights into aging see: Getting Older-Getting Better.
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