Age Has Naught To Do With Getting Old

We’re kind of like an odometer when we stop and consider how we look at old people. I had a certain respect and fear of old people when growing up from childhood. Respect for their “knowing” of things I was unfamiliar with. Fear, as I saw them wither and age. I believed that getting old was either too far away or nothing I needed to consider overly concerning myself with. I still think in that fashion as I have little idea how long I have and I cannot worry about things outside my control.

Control is what we think we have but do not. Aging is a thing that works this way if you’re like me: Just when you think you know enough to get things right, you die. Ain’t that just a stinking type of statement? It is accurate for me, it may not be for you. The very fact that I have gotten to this point alive is kind of neat. I have, thus far, retained my health pretty much completely but not until I made some drastic changes to the way I lived a couple decades ago. I gave up bad habits rather suddenly after a scare came upon me. Drinking too much which went against what I stand for. Well, if we are too predictable we get pretty boring don’t we? Yeah, the booze and I were long time friends after Vietnam. I believe that is where the saying: with friends like you who needs enemies, came from. Maybe?

Stopping was difficult but after a very short while I found that I wasn’t as bad off as I thought. So, I began walking regularly rather than driving half a block to see or do something. After beginning, I lost a lot of weight and kept it off. Carrying bulk is not a good thing. I am about 175 now and used to be 5′ 11″. Two back injuries, lumbar and cervical, and I am 5′ 9″. Thanks Vietnam! Short is fine though. I am alive and writing so life is as good or better than I thought it would be when I was young and watching old folk disappear.

This is why I recommend being aware that you are breathing. You think you will breathe forever but you’re wrong as hell. Guarantees of long life are full of caveats, disclaimers, and limited warranties. Time to wake up and smell that you’re not as young today as you were yesterday. Take it all in and relax so that you can breathe normally, deeply. Give thanks to your creator that you lived at all. For those who are not aware, your creator is God. ‘K?

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