Fifty Six

Gosh.  Fifty-six sounds so “almost old”.  Or at least it did when I was twenty-nine.  Now it sounds just right to me.  I remember that I worried about turning thirty, but turning fifty-six, or even turning sixty in four more years – piece of cake.

I’ve figured out that the only one I need to try to please is God and myself.  Hopefully, we’re in agreement on what things are pleasing to both of us.

 

I found a job that I love when I was fifty-four years old.  I spent over twenty years in jobs that didn’t always provide me fulfillment, more so as I progressed into management.  But better late than never, right?  And that first career has provided me with a small retirement income that I supplement with my current post-retirement part-time job.  I am the bookkeeper at our church and I work with very nice people and get to crunch numbers and work on the computer a couple of days a week and get paid for it.  I am blessed.

 

I spent decades living in fear.  I was fearful of what others thought of me, fearful that I wasn’t sufficiently intelligent, competent, attractive, interesting, desirable, etc.  It’s human nature to fall into fear-based behaviors now and then, but I spent decades like that.  Now I try to catch myself before those behaviors and my fear-based reactions gain a foothold in my world.  I try to surround myself with those who love me, support me and encourage me.  And I try my best to treat them with love, support and encouragement, too.

It took me almost forty years to find a true best friend but she was worth the wait.

 

I’m married to exactly the right person.  Sometimes we’re just alike, sometimes we’re different enough from each other to keep the relationship fresh.  The two most important gifts he gives me are respect and commitment.  As long as he gives me those, I can go with the flow in the relationship.

 

I really don’t mind growing older.  I feel that I’m more interesting, more confident and have more balance in my life than I ever did in my twenties, thirties or forties.  Looking in the mirror at all the emerging wrinkles isn’t the most enjoyable part of my day - but - I still like to turn up the rock music and I have most of my teeth.  Guess I can't complain.

Comments

[Danifesto]

What an awesome affirmation of self! The best years are still to come! Carpe Diem!