I am an old man, that is a glaring fact that stares at me in the mirror every morning. It is also a thought that dominates my mind constantly. Funny thing about becoming or being old. You never know when or even how it happened.
Oh, there are signs that I should have picked up on. The endless references to past events that I think just happened but actually occurred 2 to 3 decades ago.
You see people never see themselves as others see them. We are frozen in time in our prime in our minds. At least I am. It doesn't help that I still practice martial arts, I still play competitive basketball against 19-year-olds.
Sure, I know that my hair is thinning, and my farsightedness is far more acute.
When I think of old, I think of people that naturally look like Santa Claus. Often I find out that the people that PLAY Santa Claus are far younger than I....disapointing.
I am shocked when famous people that are my contemporaries die or play some old character, or can't sing or play guitar anymore. I always found it odd that when a decidedly old person participates in something that is usually reserved for someone in their youthful prime people shout "you go so and so, good for you." I always thought they should shout "hey so and so, ACT YOUR AGE"!
Now if someone shouted that at me, I would totally be confused. I really don't know how a person my age is supposed to act. I don't even know what clothes to wear. I don't wear skinny jeans but that is about the only restriction I have on my apparel. (I don't wear my pants below my ass).
You have people saying things like "50 is the new 30"! No it's not. 50 is 50 and 30 is 30.
Chronologically I am 59. I feel and act like I am still in my prime. I am frozen in time in my mind.
"Hey kid! Get off my lawn!!!!!
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You certainly sound younger than your portrait of Jefferson would have us believe
@Jared
It's James Madison. I hope to shout I sound younger. Madison is 265 years old and I am only 59!
Oh, Madison, sorry. Either way, you sound great. I wish you many more years to come. All my family older than 30 are really unhealthy. They could use some pointers from you, it seems.
"When I think of old, I think of people that naturally look like Santa Claus."
I know 2 people that fit that description LOL
Many times in my life I've taken snapshots in my head of moments I didnt want to forget. Hoping to be able to miraculously jump back to these times.But really I've found that I've been missing so much of the present by focusing on things lost or future dreams. now is it. I love now and I want to be in it. Also, its a silly movie but it encapsulates how I've always viewed people. Shallow Hal. Tony robins put a spell on Jack Black who is very superficial and jack can only see inner beauty. The hot sexy people have become cripples and the duds have become studs. Good Flick.
Living in the present is a great thing. I feel atheist have an advantage in this area as they are not waiting around for heaven in the after life, but instead have every reason to be in the present and seize the day, as atheist realize there is no god with an internal paradise for people that follow the gods confusing, and crazy particular set of rules.
In my fifties I was in a Rotary Club. I was the youngest member. Most of the other members were in their 70s and 80s. They were all still running businesses, and they were all deeply involved in the community at the local, national and international levels. The ones with practical skills, like builders, plumbers and electricians, used to go to Pacific island countries to help with rebuilding after the Boxing Day Tsunami. Those guys were old but not old. I think their secret was that they were always looking outwards rather than inwards.
If it's any comfort to you, Mykcob4, you are now way older than Ivan the Terrible and Henry VIII, but still younger than Elizabeth I, Genghis Khan, and me. As the Travelling Wilburys said, "it's alright."
That's why we have 90 year olds, to make people like you feel young. Go see your mother, you'll feel younger already
Young man, I hope that one day you will attain the stature and wisdom of those who still remain, preside before you and wish for themselves to still have your cut and courage. Until you can see from their shoes, do not attribute to yourself an age that can be described as old. I have you by 3 years and yet nod more to my youth than my fate.
Wisdom is not the domain of people just because they are older. Experience has a lot to do with wisdom. Those of us that have made mistakes and lived a wider life retain the knowledge obtained by those experiences. I can call on the wisdom of those that came before me that have led me away from the pitfalls that lay in wait for everyone. A combination of education, experience and the benefit of others has shaped what I may so humbly call my wisdom. I don't know what makes your wisdom. I don't think it is a competition between us nor should it be.
I look at you as the proverbial "cowboy poet" imparting his wisdom via a dusty sage literal phrase. I have used that style from time to time. I have exercised my prose in many styles. I once debated only in lofty platitudes in a Lincolnesque manner. It left my opponent bewildered.
On this forum, I have adopted a rather gruff grizzled cantankerous style. It's mean but I am not looking for friends. I have the advantage of calling on several methods and the advantage of using them before. I haven't seen it all, but I have experienced enough (more than most). I have been places and been in situations that most will never experience. Does that make me wiser? NO, but it makes my perspective different.