Age Is Not a Measure…but an Attitude and a Decision

It is amazing to talk to people who are truly alive, eager, engaged and doing so many things. It’s called living and it has nothing to do with age.

But it definitely is connected to appreciating life, to seeing every day as an adventure. And yes, some days are easier to make that vibe work than others. Because there are other days when we might want to stay in bed, forget what lies ahead…chores, appointments we would rather miss, difficult phone calls we must make…etc.

Today I am angry with myself because I lifted a piece of furniture I had no business lifting…and now something in my lower back is compressed, and I have tingling in my legs. Will it go away? Yes, over time, and if I behave myself, do my stretching, my back exercises. BUT I KNOW BETTER.

And now I can’t call my brother Bill and confess. I confessed to my husband…he just shakes his head. WILL I EVER LEARN?

Maybe. I can be compulsive about decisions and thus fail to WAIT.

But is that not a common trait, a fault in many of us?

Even as children, we got into trouble BECAUSE WE COULD NOT WAIT.

But BETH, you are now an adult who has had MANY MANY episodes of PT, physical therapy. SO WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?

ANSWER: I wasn’t thinking. I was in the ZONE. I had these things I thought I needed to do and I was not considering anything else. SO….maybe a lesson was learned: when you think furniture needs to be moved….make sure you have help. AFTER ALL….you have been there before. Remember???

Yes, I remember. And yet this is me…I get in a groove and I keep going. And it works if I am in the garden and pulling weeds. But I have to admit, it does not always work if I am moving furniture. 

SO WHY HAVE A PHOTO OF YOUR BROTHER BILL AND YOUR HUSBAND JOHN ON THIS POST?

Because. 

TWO PEOPLE I LOVE, TWO REASONS, TWO ANSWERS….

If Bill were still here, I could call him and confess, and he would tell me no big deal….he would move right along about something wonderful that I DID DO. 

On the other had, John has already listened, frowned, let me know that I did this to myself, and of course should not have. AND HE IS RIGHT. I should not be moving furniture with the BACK HISTORY I have. 

Botton line…we all need a Bill and a John in our lives. (I am fortunate to have two Johns, my  husband and my brother John….who I think would remind me gently to be more careful. But who would also be very understanding and very forgiving.)

So again, AGE IS NOT A MEASURE, but it can become an attitude, a decision: I need to hold back, be more careful when I think something heavy needs to be moved, remember my history.

AND I truly know in this moment that Bill would say…It’s okay Bethie…just make sure for the next time and always take care of yourself.  Oh I promise….I will.