Before you curse growing older, remember those senior discounts. Now, as I'm growing older, those growing pains are starting to make sense. I can't recall adolescence or childhood being physically painful in any way though adults used to talk about "growing pains". All I know now is that as I grow older, I am growing more pained. Not like constant pain or anything like that. Not yet. But I mean a presence of lurking pains that can pop up unexpectedly. It's not cool when that happens, but those senior discounts when you weren't even thinking about it--now that's pretty cool.
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| A 20-year-old cat that looks tired because of its advanced age. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Guess I'm still growing. Maybe not growing up as much as being at a stable place in life until I start diminishing with old age. There's no doubt that I've been growing older--that seems like it's been going on for years and yet I don't feel much older in my mind. So much time seems to have passed since I was a kid, but there are still some kid thoughts in my head. There are times when, if my aging body didn't give me away and I didn't have a mirror in which to see myself, I could swear I was about ten years old. Those thoughts never last long as reality comes crashing in.
Yes, I am growing older, but am I growing wise? Sometimes I don't feel like I've learned much of anything in my life. Sure, I know stuff, but is it stuff worth knowing. Is it something akin to wisdom? I guess I can say I'm somewhat wise. With all the time that has passed in my life so far I think I can lay a claim to being some kind of wise.
The days keep on coming at me like I'm in some kind of speed race hoping to win a silver cup and a kiss from a reigning beauty queen. No such luck. Instead I'm like the fabled tortoise forging onward at a steady pace. The rapidity of time is only illusion, but as real to me as the hot concrete beneath my tired feet. That's the big concern--growing tired. Old is a state of mind and body. Tired is a state of body and mind.
Are you keeping up with the time? Do you feel like time has taken a toll on you? What does being wise mean to you?
How I can relate to your post today Lee, being some years older than you I too get pains mostly in my shoulders which makes my arms painful .
ReplyDeleteBut I do much relaxation excercises which do help to some extent.
Enjoy your week-end hopefully painfree.
Yvonne.
Yvonne, keep up your relaxation exercises as I'm sure they can do some good.
DeleteLee
We quit "Growing up" some good while back... ans for "Wise"... we have wasted my entire life (from early years on) at learning All that I could on Many topics ... Lots of research many hundreds of books (no use of internet for Most of those years... just Books) ... and All of that accumulated knowledge just dies with me... rather sad thought...
ReplyDeleteAll we are doing is growing older... (my health issues will put a stop to that)... so we try to make the best of it All... (Chest CT-Scan today... will get to see how much larger the tumor on the back of my heart has grown... Not just ready to "give up"... even in this "11th Hour" of my life...
Thank you , good Sir Arlee for dropping by the Crypt... ans a very pleasant weekend to you and yours... and Hello from Marshville !!
Stacey, don't ever give up! You should write down as many of your experiences and thought as you can. I wish you the bests with your tests and all and hope results are good ones.
DeleteLee
Hi Lee - growing older will give us all some pain - dependent to an extent on our genes and how we've treated ourselves through life.
ReplyDeleteWiseness - I'm only wiser as I've experienced more choices and hopefully now make kinder decisions ... and sometimes answer more questions with my untold wisdom of years!!
Cheers Hilary
http://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/g-is-for-goose-gobbling-or-otherwise.html
Hilary, with age we can say little and appear wise. Sometimes age makes us look like we know a lot more than we do--or at least remember.
DeleteLee
Wise is when you learn that the 9-5 crap is a bunch of bs and people get out of the rat race and enjoy life. Knowing stuff is good too. Time sure can take its toll, my back can speak to that.
ReplyDeletePat Hatt, I know a lot in my head, but don't know how to do much. I guess I have that mentality of the proverbial teacher who can't. Fortunately I've never been tied down to many traditional 9 to 5 type settings which kept me out of the rat race, but probably also kept my bank account low.
DeleteLee
Sometimes I feel my age (40s), others times I don't. I'm very fortunate, having been blessed with some great genes that have made the aging process kinder to me than it has to a lot of folks. As for the wise thing... I'm not sure. Perhaps it's the ability to goof up in life and learn from that mistake.
ReplyDeleteVisiting from AtoZ
G is for Grunge, The Golden Girls, & Graduation
Ericka, it's nice to think we learn from our mistakes, but there are certain mistakes that I think we are doomed to keep repeating. And that's not from our genes.
DeleteLee
Turning 70 this year, I think about the years gone by and wonder where they went. I also don't feel 70 - how did that happen? LOL!
ReplyDeleteG: Galapagos & Glacier Nat'l Park
DB McNicol, author & traveler
Theme: Oh, the places we will go!
Donna, we are young people trapped in older bodies! I want my younger body back!
DeleteLee
My father once said; "Old age is not for sissies" and I'm finding that out for myself, due to arthritis and other issues. Still, in my head I'm only 35. Shocking to look in the mirror, though. ☺ Time is running much too fast these days and it is difficult to keep up. Everyone must be wiser to some extend as they get older, based on life experience alone. We never stop learning.
ReplyDeleteDebbie D, the day I lose my desire to keep on learning new things will be the day when it's probably time to start cashing in my chips and step away from the gambling table of life.
DeleteLee
Ah, I'm no stranger to the pains of growing older. I feel it every day when I get out of bed and have a hard time walking at first. Normally I start my day by getting up, taking a pain pill, pottying and feeding the dogs and then I heat my heating pad and lay on that for a while til my pain pill kicks in. Yep, getting old ain't for sissies, that's for sure!
ReplyDeleteI don't feel old in my head though. Overall I think I'm very youthful, fortunately in both appearance and attitude.
As for the wisdom, I guess I've gathered some over the years as I often hear myself say that if I had it to do over again and knew what I know now, I'd do a lot of things differently. But then in the second breath, I take that back and realize had I done things differently, I wouldn't have experienced the things that got me to this place where I am now.
I do appreciate the wisdom that comes with personal growth.
Have a good weekend Lee.
Michele at Angels Bark
Michele, I too probably wouldn't want to change things, but if I knew what I know now and went back I'd probably be tempted. The best thing would be to savor the past moments and pay closer attention to it all. I love to go back and see what my life was really like and not what I remember it being.
DeleteLee
I am at that point in life that I've tired of feeling like the best years are ahead of me, that when I learn more I'll get more of my dreams. I'm settling (happily) for where I am, enjoying it!
ReplyDeleteJacqui, it's almost difficult for me to conceive, but I'd like to think my best years are ahead of me. However a lot of that will likely be up to me. Keep learning and keep aiming for better dreams.
DeleteLee
Age is just a number! I've always believed so. Though in my 40s I don't feel a year older than 30. And as you say "I'm older and wiser".
ReplyDeleteEach year of your life has its on charm! I don't know why most of us hanker to be at the age we aren't!
Blog: natashamusing
Theme: Travel Epiphanies
Natasha, I think savoring our present age is a good outlook to have. We don't really know what's ahead and what done is done and nothing can be done about that.
DeleteLee
I'm still mentally young, but my body knows it's over 50. And those little pains? Yup, they're real.
ReplyDeleteL.Diane, the little pains are manageable for me as long as they don't turn into big lasting pains.
DeleteLee
I'm keeping up with the times more or less. I'm still making mix tapes from vinyl records, but I can operate a laptop. lol
ReplyDeleteJoJo, I'd like to transfer all of my vinyl to CD or maybe some kind of a drive, but probably not to cassette as I think my remaining players are dying.
DeleteLee
Being wise can be overrated if you don't apply it. Just ask Solomon.
ReplyDeleteCW, Solomon was wise, but he still made bad decisions--the story of human nature which is exemplified in the Bible books about him. I don't know about having wisdom, but I'm sure there are some who consider me to be a "wise guy".
DeleteLee
I admit sometimes I think about growing old, about not being able to do all the things I'd like. But I'm trying my best, and that's the best anyone can do ;-)
ReplyDeleteAm I wise?
I am experienced, this I can say.
@JazzFeathers
The Old Shelter - 1940s Film Noir
Sarah, we can only hope that experience somehow reflects a wisdom of some kind.
DeleteLee
I like to think I can still grow as a person, although the growing older part can be difficult. I do believe that age is a state of mind, not of the number of pages you've turned on the calendar.
ReplyDeleteJanet
G is for Genesis
Janet, I too consider age a state of mind and in some ways if that is the case I think I might be getting younger.
DeleteLee
Lee, I decided I don't wanna grow up! Mentally I feel 18 but on occasions my body disagrees. The benefit from growing older is the experience you collect over the years. Unfortunately it's not often the ones you love will heed the wisdom we've accumulated through our experiences. Sometime I do feel like time has taken a toll on me, especially when I'm sick because it's harder to recoup as you grow older even if you take great care of yourself. Your A2Z series is really good. I wondered how well I would like it and I'm happy to say, you haven't disappointed me. :) Thanks for joining for today’s alpha prompt, “G”, Art Sketching Through the Alphabet with little GIRLS!
ReplyDeleteCathy, glad you've been enjoying the series on time. After all it's something that we all can relate to.
DeleteLee
Not sure... but I'm sure that today is "H", but I wasn't here for "G" so here I am!!! POOF!!! What a beautiful day! We even barbecued for the first time this year. What's this about not wanting to grow up??? Oh honey, it's not worth it... stay young and vibrant & do unto others etc. So, my answer is honey please don't grow old it's not worth it.... I KNOW! Its' no fun at all. Go back to thinking like you did in your party days. Go hiking... go to beach... go to the bar & have a drink & why you ask???? BECAUSE YOU CAN!!! Be your own boss not what society tells you to be. Be a youngster & have fun!!! See ya tomorrow my new friend & PARTY HARDY!!!
ReplyDeleteMarie, I like the advice! As long as I am able I will be true to my desires.
DeleteLee
I feel pretty good and I think I look okay. But there are those times like at the mall when I see suddenly myself in a mirror and I wonder who the old woman is looking back at me. I still have good energy but it does take longer to recuperate from a busy day or late night. Yeah, I am a little wiser maybe because I don't spend time in space any more.
ReplyDeletePatricia, damn those mirrors anyway! I don't party like I used to, but then nobody else is up partying either so I go to bed.
DeleteLee
Being a tortoise isn't a bad idea, Arlee! Slow & steady wins the race :)
ReplyDeleteI feel time is passing by.We need to make the most of it.
Anita, I've always been more the tortoise than the hare.
DeleteLee
Growing older - DISCOUNTS! I love them - yes, it's quite a shock to realise how far we've come and to wonder what the future holds. Attitude is All I reckon plus a bit of good luck thrown into the mix ...
ReplyDeleteSusan S, I try to keep the best attitude despite whatever the world throws at me.
DeleteLee
Very thought provoking post. Most days I feel like my mind is much younger and I need to grow up a bit, but feel like my body is older than it should be. I hate the phrase 'act your age', as who determines how people should act at any given age.
ReplyDeletePamela @ Highlands Days of Fun
Pamela, I refuse to act my age unless I find a benefit in doing so.
DeleteLee
I'd rather grow old than die young. I have had chronic pain for a very, very long time and it's getting worse but it's something I keep trying to overcome. I seek...always seek knowledge and never ever think I know more than another person. I hope and pray that I don't condemn someone just b cause they think differently. When we close our minds, we become less capable of encouraging wisdom to grow
ReplyDeleteBirgit, I'm always willing to listen to a reasonable argument and I'll typically tolerate an unreasonable argument as long the the other side will let me counter with my own. One sided discussions (an oxymoron?) will eventually lead me to distraction to the point where nothing that is said will take hold of me.
DeleteLee
Awwww, I just want to pet that cat and her it purr. Hopefully it's not a cat from Murcat Manor.
ReplyDeleteStephen T, that photo selection was for all the cat lovers and it just seemed fitting for my topic.
DeleteLee
The aging thing - hmmm... I'm wondering how much pains with age may be associated with the cumulative effects of poor nutrition (standard American diet) and heavy metals in our food supply and from things like cigarettes. I read part of The Okinawan Diet and people in Okinawa often live to 100 years old and are in excellent physical health. My first glimpse that age doesn't have to equal infirmity was a 70 year old librarian who nimbly climbed up a ladder to a top shelf. She was a lifelong yoga practitioner.
ReplyDeleteMaui Jungalow
Courtney, I think you're right and I've lived wrong from the health perspective. But then again I've seen people with dubious lifestyles live a pretty long life.
DeleteLee
I keep up with the parts I want to keep up with, but I feel I'm wise enough to recognize the traps in smartphones, social media overloads, and using marijuana (even though it's legal here in Colorado). I believe wisdom is the result of being brave enough to take chances and make mistakes, and then learning from them so I don't make the same mistakes again (and learn to stop taking stupid chances, too). Time has taken a toll on my joints and muscles, that's for sure, but I don't think it has beaten down my spirit. :D
ReplyDeletePatricia, sometimes I wonder if I learn anything from my past. Or maybe old habits are just hard to break.
DeleteLee
I'm 37, though due to my immature facial features and how I only very, very rarely wear makeup, I easily pass for my twenties. One person even recently asked if I were a first-year university student! Growing older sure beats the alternative, and I'm now old enough to appreciate being mistaken for much younger.
ReplyDeleteCarrie-Anne, I used to think I looked young for my age. Now I'm not so sure. I guess I must look kind of old judging from how other people respond to me at various times.
DeleteLee
I've always said that the reason we don't think or act our supposed age is because the world spins so fast that we haven't had to catch up. We grow old fast, grow up slow.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, my G post (working on my H still!!!): GRRRR-rammar!!!
I think I've gained a lot of wisdom. I also think I still need a lot of growing up to do.
JGif, I don't guess we ever really stop growing.
DeleteLee
No, we don't. Not really.
DeleteI've reached the age when my parents get something health-wise I think great something to look forward to!
ReplyDeleteMike, we're all heading in essentially the same direction even if we go by slightly different routes.
DeleteLee