Each day slips or passes by however you look at it... waiting from the time to pass, for my children to grow for the opportunities to present themselves to me. Here I am hanging on the the edges of my perceived youth almost 39 years old... Loving every moment, yet eager to get to the next thing, the next event... Every moment in time hangs, lingering if only for a moment and then passes.
So much to do -always, so much to say and to be and become of me.
For my body I have officially entered what I call "maintenance mode." My body is here, I carry my scars as proof of my life, my stories and my history. They linger with me as reminder of the life that I live and who I was at a given moment in time. My mind has become a collection of stories, anecdotes, simple life wisdom, totally random thoughts and lately a certain degree of freedom -arching out seeking new knowledge and more willing to say what is on my mind. I feel like I am spreading my wings more as my authentic self than I ever imagined.
So I ask you, those who have come into the world before me: what sage advice you offer? Parenting? Career? Financial? Dealing with aging parents? Spiritual perhaps" I am open.
What would you want to say to someone who is really eager to listen?
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Don't wish them away...they grow and go too quickly. Wear sunscreen. Be nice to your partner. Give kisses freely. Care for your aging parents, no matter how hard they become (read Cat's blog regularly)...they too pass too fast. Take many deep breaths and walk when you can. Be fearless and grateful. Look forward and take baby steps.
Great post dear one.
I don't like the feeling that good enough is enough...
But live in the moment.
Try not to carry the baggage of the past into the present and try not to write a future into stone because it will never be what you write.
Forget the bad yesterdays, remember the good ones and don't bring the regrets into today.
Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Live it as if it is the last.
Monte
I like to think of myself as your age. 39 is the perfect age, to me. I passed that some time ago but it's fun and delusional to think of being stuck at age 39. So my first piece of advice is to learn to live in denial about aging! Yep! Rule # 1! Never cop to "being" your real age. Never. (smiling here and injecting humor).
Which brings us to Rule # 2 - Find humor in everything that tries to tell you otherwise. Everday, look for the funny side of mundane things, anthing resembling a "bummer," and the usual stuff that gets us down. (wrinkles, weight gain, mean people, car troubles, bills...you know. Go ahead and laugh at it. This too shall pass and you will have the last laugh!
So, Parenting you ask? Highly recommend it. Works best in marriage but not completely necessary. Kids like to have a mom and a dad and do know the difference. Kids are not fooled easily, so try to find a suitable mate to fill this important role. But, first, be sure he or she is the right match for you. Really important! Kids are the bomb! They are our legacy and they can be the most important link to our otherwise ho hum lives. You have to want them, though. Really want them. And then love them no matter what!
Career - Do everything in your power to work in a field that you are passionate about and wish your work day never ended. Well, maybe that's pushing it a bit, but...do what you do best and is an authentic reflection of who you are as a person. Can't go wrong.
Financial - Very important piece of advice here and one I will be eternally grateful for my father reinforcing this since I was very young. "Save money!!!" Save like your life depends on it. It does.
Not just "make money." Save a percentage of it weekly, monthly. Save a minimum of 10% up to 25% if you can. You will never regret having saved money for a rainy day or crappy economy, ever!
I will leave aging parents t someone else or get back to you on that. Lost both of mine very young and it was painful. Happy to share later.
Thanks for letting me chime in here. I am a mother of 3 daughters, ranging in age from 20, 35 and 36. I still opperate from the assumption that I feel 39 while aging gracefully.