What can I say?

Growing older....uhmmm. What can I say about it?

Well, it's a sneaky thing; one day you're 20, then wake up and discover you're turning 50. A half a century... That seems so old when you say it that way, doesn't it?

When we're younger, we hear all the time from older people how time flies and we need to appreciate our youth, but no one ever truly does. The best we can do is ENJOY it so, when we look back, we can smile at the memories.

The same holds true at any age because we are constantly aging until we die, which hopefully is long into the future.

ENJOY...

Our lives.

The time we`re in.

Can we honestly say we`re doing this or are we spending all our time mourning the past or fearing the future? Can we truly just enjoy where we are in life without prejudice?

Or do we paint the past as much better than it was by forgetting the difficulties we went through; or colour the future as much worse than it will be?

I wonder...

Do I do this? Uhmmm...

I have...I probably will...I try not to...

And that's all I have to say about it....

For now....

In Hard Times Too?

"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

What is gratitude? Is it felt only when things are going well? It`s certainly easier then, but...

In hard times? When getting out of bed is difficult?

Really?

Anyone can be grateful when things are hunky dory, but God asks us to be grateful in all circumstances. This can't apply to getting older, can it?

Afterall, what is there to be grateful for? Wrinkles, sags, bags, aches, pain? Not to mention slowing down, brain fog, menopause?

Let's not forget that with each year, death hovers closer. How can one be grateful for that?

And honestly, when life is hard, it's difficult to be grateful at any age!

That's the part I couldn't understand for so long. You know, the part about being grateful even when life sucks! Well it seems, God didn't ask me to be grateful FOR the circumstances, but IN the circumstances. Ahhhh....

Should've seen that right away! But I didn't...

Still...

Some things are just so difficult that it's almost impossible to feel gratitude for or in the circumstances.

But for most of us, no matter how difficult (and I know some things can be excruciating) if we take a moment away from our circumstances; we can be grateful for much in our lifes.

Children, grandchildren (aren't they the best?), spouses, friends, health, home, food, clothing and all the basics in life. We really don't NEED much more.

I realize when our circumstances suck something of importance is likely missing or severely affected, but whether it's health, family, wealth or something else we still have much.

If we look.

But we must stop feeling sorry for ourselves and honestly "look" at the bigger picture. Most of us have had a pretty good life. Have a good life.

But...we forget.

 In the forgetting, we lose gratitude.



My Rant



Today I digress from the growing older as you will notice I will do from time to time. There are just some things that happen in my day that cause me to well...rant. Today it’s about a snowstorm and dumb ass drivers. Ummm...

We had a 15 cm snowfall, the first big one for the year. This is about 6 inches for any American friends. It’s not lots, but for the first one of the winter, it does make roads slippery, visibility poor and slow things down when commuting. IT should be anticipated by any reasonably intelligent person that the driving will likely be well... a bit tricky. Which brings me to my rant.

On the news last night they reported a number of traffic accidents, mostly due to speed. They interviewed several motorists who were very grumpy because it was too slow getting where they needed. Huh? Really?

It was a STORM guys, what did you expect? Did it occur to these people that it might be wise to get their lazy ass out of bed earlier so they could allow for extra driving time? This storm was forecasted for at least 2 days before it hit. Do they not listen to any news, talk to others or pay attention? Do they not plan or predict driving might be slower?  It was too slow? Come on! It’s NOT summer anymore! Dah!

This happens every winter and pretty much every time there is a big snowfall throughout the season.  I often wonder if it’s the same dumb ass drivers who either get in an accident or lose their cool because it’s time-consuming?

Try PLANNING for it next time, guys and dolls! Get up earlier, bring a book to read when traffic comes to a standstill or maybe try a self help CD for impatience or stupidity. We don’t live in Florida! It snows here every year! After year, after year... this is nothing new!

There you have it. My first rant. I’m sure there’ll be many more, but in the meantime I will focus on getting back on point next time. Be grateful out there, heh!

Growing Old...Gratefully Really??

Growing old gratefully, I’ve been thinking and thinking what this means to me? And what is my intention for this blog?  I’m not yet sure, but it may be something I need as a catharsis.  Why?  Because at 57 I’m growing old (um older??).

Some folks (over 70) may say, “No way is that old! You’re still a baby!”  But others...well, let’s just say my grandchildren would beg to differ.  And LOL – Laugh Out Loud for those who aren’t in the “know”.

Since I am getting old(er) it has given me pause to think; which if you knew me as a younger lady, you may not believe it or perhaps, think it’s just about time! Never mind, you weren’t the sharpest tack in the box either, so there! Anyway, back to my thinking...Hummmm

My life has slowed down considerably since my youth and with it so have I; which could be construed as a bad thing or perhaps, something to be grateful about?  No doubt I have more time to blog now which may be a good thing?

 I hope to explore the things of age that we can appreciate. Surely there must be something!  I may be able to convince some of you younger “thangs” that there is nothing to fear.  LOL!

But... here is the big BUT!  (Isn’t there always a but?) I also, intend to blow the lid off some of the not-so-good things such as illness, aches and pains, brain fog and the ever popular menopause. Possibly there may be something to be grateful in all these, but I will have to dig deep, real deeee-ep, deeee-per.....deeeee-per, deep,deep, deeper to find them!!

I will grow old gratefully if it kills me, but I already know it isn’t all great. With that in mind; assuming you don’t forget, perhaps you may wish to travel along in this blog with me?  I don’t have all the answers; I’ll leave that to the centurions, but I really do wish to grow old in grace, wisdom and gratitude.

Maybe writing about it will help me on my way?