As I sit here on the twilight of yet another birthday I am chatting with people from across the world - some wishing me a happy birthday (because where they are it is already my birthday), and others are looking for advice, encouragement, and conversation. I am enjoying all of it.
Tomorrow I will suddenly become a year older than I am today. That doesn’t mean I have to act any older though.
And though sometimes the bones complain and the back refuses to work with me, I still have a lot to do - a lot of FUN stuff to do. I am disheartened by those I meet of similar age that already see their live’s as being “mostly done”. They have raised children, and now they start the dying process. They are in jobs that aren’t interesting, marriages that aren’t interesting, and building selling stuff nobody is interested in.
While I often ask myself why they don’t just change things, I realize that most people are afraid of change. Change, I think, is the fountain of youth - or as close to it as we will get in my lifetime. Keeping the brain engaged is important, but keeping the soul engaged - building something you believe in, building “the next best thing” - those are worthy goals. They keep you young, and least in mind and in spirit.
Age is a physical manifestation of the time we have on this planet. “Old” is what we allow ourselves to become when we stop wondering at the world around us, and how we can shape it, ever so slightly. “Old” is what you become when you no longer dream. I am always dreaming - of the next challenge, the next thing I will learn, the next amazing person I will meet.
I haven’t even started living my life yet - there are a lot of people I can help, and a lot of people that I can learn from. Most of them I have not met yet. But I hope to.
I am 47 years young tomorrow - and I have much to do.
If you feel older than you want to feel I suggest you go surround yourself with people younger than you are - they will invigorate you, they will have much to teach you, and you can return the favor.
If you don’t like your life, change it!
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