While visiting my parents a few days ago in my home town of Lawn, a sign on a building grabbed my attention: The 50 Plus Golden Age Club. While I have seen this sign many times, it startled me to think that in just a few short weeks, I could technically be a member of this club. Suddenly I had visions of myself playing bingo and card games with the other ”Golden Agers” for the coveted prize of bucket of salt beef. Golden age. The twilight years. Big girl panties. Am I ready for all of this?
Have you ever bumped into an old class mate you have not seen for years and thought, “Wow! She has really aged!” Well guess what, she is probably thinking the same thing about you. I am not suggesting that you LOOK old, but that we all age. It is just that we sometimes forget that our bodies are aging, because of our “mental age”, which is the age that we actually FEEL. Mentally, I am around 25, that carefree age just before I got married, had kids and still had my own boobs. (A problem arises however, when you try to party like a 25 year old in a 50 year old body!)
I recently overheard a colleague of mine say that she dreaded turning 50. Not me! After fighting cancer and narrowly escaping with my life, I cherish each and every birthday. Besides, the way I see it, 50 is the new 30. It has taken me this long to finally feel grown up enough to say the word “fuck” in front of my parents.
Oh well, you know what they say: Youth….it’s wasted on the young. Wisdom truly does come with age and I am sure you are all wondering, what pearls of wisdom I have gained in my 50 years on this planet. Well, you are probably not actually wondering that, but here goes anyway:
Flo’s Pearls of Wisdom
-Your health REALLY is the most important thing in your life. (Sometimes it takes getting sick to actually feel that truth of that statement.)
-When times are bad always remember, “this too shall pass”.
-When times are good, also remember that, “this too shall pass.” (In the ebb and flow of life, the good and the bad will come and go, so just hang in there!)
-No matter how badly you have been hurt, you will love again.
-Doing everything for your kids does NOT turn them into selfish brats.
-Money is meant to be enjoyed, not hoarded.
-Being a parent is the most important job in the world.
-The only person you hurt by refusing to forgive is yourself.
-Cherish your friendships.
-People will come and go in your life, but you can always count on family.
-It ALWAYS pays to be nice.
-What you give out will come back to you, so be generous with your time, your love and your money.
-Living in the past causes depression. Worrying about the future causes anxiety. Peace can only be found by living in the present moment.
-In the grand scheme of things, your greatest assets are the people in your life.
-Do yoga.
Wishing you a year filled with health, happiness and prosperity. Namaste.