Let’s Choose to Live Well
@bethvogt
I turned 60 a few days ago.
After blogging about this birthday back in January, I haven’t been brooding about it since then. It turns out being on deadline doesn’t leave you much time to brood. And then my youngest daughter had prom the day before my birthday – she’s a senior in high school – and so we were caught up in celebrating that milestone.
I wasn’t ignoring my birthday. No. I was busy doing life.
And I’m thankful for my life, especially when I consider the how-did-this-happen loss of author and speaker Rachel Held Evans. I’m grieving for all of those whose hearts are broken by this unexpected tragedy. If we do nothing else today, let’s say a prayer for Rachel’s family and friends.
Her recent death puts age in perspective. It’s not about getting older. It’s about life. It’s about being thankful for the time we have … realizing we do not number our days.
Some of you may recall my January post “Coming to Grips with Age: Jamie Lee Curtis, Barbie, and Me” – and how I wondered if I could stare down turning 60 with as much confidence as actress Jamie Lee Curtis. I’m certainly not opting for plastic, like Barbie.
My blog post was prompted by Jamie Lee Curtis’s article in a Good Housekeeping Magazine, where she presented different life principles that helped her handle life with confidence. Today, I thought I’d share four things I’ve learned on my way to this milestone birthday.
- Failure happens. It is always found along the path to success. Don’t panic. Don’t hide the times when you stumble. Talk out what happened – what you did, what you should have done – with trusted friends and mentors. Learn from things that didn’t go right and move on.
- Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. If you want to imitate someone, find someone who is kind, and imitate them.
- A girl needs her girlfriends. And yes, a guy needs his guy friends, too. (And let’s not get into the age-old debate about whether a guy and girl can really be friends, okay?) My girlfriends have been one of my most trusted safety nets during tough times. Conversation and laughter with a good friend are healing.
- Smile – really, really big. Okay, one riff off Jamie Lee Curtis. She handles aging by not looking in the mirror, stating, “I’m a 60-year-old woman. I am not going to look the same way as I used to, and I don’t want to be confronted by that every single day!” She turns her back on the mirror when she gets out of the shower. Me? When I look in the mirror and don’t like what I see, I smile. Really, really big. And what I don’t like disappears.
There you have it, wisdom learned along the way to turning 60. I’d love to hear any wise words from you today. Come on, I know you’ve learned a few things in life, no matter what your age.
Choosing Not to Brood About Turning 60 by @bethvogt http://bit.ly/2JpXEci #livewell #perspective Click To Tweet 'God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well.' Quote by Voltaire http://bit.ly/2JpXEci #livewell #choices Click To Tweet
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Comments 10
Yeah, I don’t age well.
The thing I love ’bout dyin’
is that I need not grow old.
I don’t need to be tryin’
to go to ‘sage’ from ‘bold’.
The experience I will miss
is becoming a history-frieze
with a ring that acolytes kiss
from their sore and bended knees.
Always knew that I’d die young
and it don’t matter how,
’cause I still get to live among
those to whom all is ‘now’.
So look here, and in envy curse;
I’m gonna leave a handsome corpse.
Author
Andrew: I’ve come to look forward to your answers-in-verse. It continues to amaze me how you face the immense challenge of cancer every day, hour by hour, and have spun the pain into literary gold, my friend.
Beth, I’m so honoured…truly.
Author
Andrew: Praying for you — today and always.
Beth, I loved this post. Your perspective on aging is filled with grace and hope. 🙂 You were beautiful in your 40’s, and in your 50’s. Knowing you, you’ll only grow more beautiful in your 60’s—both inside and out. Thanks for sharing your lessons, friend. I especially loved the one about smiling really big.
Author
Isn’t it wonderful we’ve been friends for decades now, Jeanne? You’ve been one of those “safety nets” that I mentioned. I look forward to many more years together. 🙂
Ok I’m a few months from 65! At age 60 my thought was if the next twenty goes as fast as the last 20 I’ll be 80 in about five years. That was depressing because I thought what have I accomplished outside of birthing two children and holding various jobs during our 44 years of marriage.
When I was late thirties I wanted to be in my forties because my older peers seemed to be enjoying life. What was I thinking.
I guess you have to be happy in the moment and thankful for the blessings we have. Now the next adventure is hubby retiring!
You don’t look near 60!
Author
Daphne: Yes — appreciating the moments. Seeing the blessings. Being ready for adventures.
And know that you are a blessing to me — and I am sure to many others, too.
Happy Birthday!
Author
Thank you, Denise. 🙂