December 23--I'll Take Aging Over the Alternative!

Aging is not “lost youth” but a new stage of opportunity and strength. 
--Betty Friedan

    I've written about being cranky around Christmas, with no kids or grandkids here to enliven and enjoy the day. I feel I've been less cranky and more OK with holiday stuff as it gets closer. Then alas, a realization such as this lands on me: I'm not guaranteed another Christmas season. That's a "duh!," but it makes me follow with "if this should be my last Christmas, do I want to spend it like the Grinch?"

    Then the following appeared in front of me, the Dec 22 Daily Guide from Science of Mind magazine, written by Michael Gott:

    Everyone gets to be young. Once. Fewer get to be middle-aged. And fewer still receive the blessing of old age. I know it brings its own challenges, but so did being a toddler. Every age is a blessing, and every age asks for our awareness of the gifts and our willingness to meet the challenges as they come.
    It seems that the challenge of moving into the autumn of life is that we are faced with our death inching nearer and nearer. Although we know we are eternal spirit, our knees know they are temporary. How can we face the last decades of our lives with grace and joy and possibility? By being willing to let go. Now, don’t mistake my meaning. I plan to remain healthy and vital as long as possible, but I don’t cling to the illusion that I’ll be young doing it.
    We must be willing to surrender our attachment to the way we used to look and move so we can fully inhabit our older years. Let go of what came before. Embrace the gift that is here today.

    Have an excellent Tuesday!

        Leta

Then and now. Happy to be here still!!!