As I approach 77 at the end of November I feel so much compassion with your musings as I hover between introspection and regret for a life half lived - especially in comparison with what you have managed to achieve, despite your misgivings.
They say the Limbic brain developed within us to enhance our sense of religion, myth and mystery in order to deal witth our specie's realisation of the finality of death and our attempts to reconcile and even counter that realisation. None of which detracts from our reminiscence of the good and the substandard we may have achieved, but in the process it's important never to lose sight of those things we have - our love - whether reciprocated or not, our impact - whether personal or more concrete, our legacy - whether in the souls we have touched or the offspring we have birthed. On all accounts I, at least, can recognise you as a significant human fellow traveller.
Beautiful deep piece, on many levels, thanks for sharing. I’m 70 yr and as I head towards the pointy end of my life I often have moments of “WTF”!! I love living my life, the good the bad & the sad. I’m grateful for it all. I’m learning to be more present so as to enjoy the detail. I have this urge to do more, to totally exhaust every moment as if it’s my last, not sure why but I’m loving my time on this earth. I’ll rest when I’m dead. I guess I’m finally learning how to live rather than exist. Cheers mate.
Cheers to you Janet. I empathize with your thoughts too. I will be 77 years old in a couple of months time and can't understand who the person in the mirror is!
…”can’t understand who the person in the mirror is” -Well the words say that you’re a “ corporate philosopher, futurist and knowledge designer. ” that’s just what you do for a job. Who you are is a whole different thing. You are made of 77 yrs of a whole lot of stuff. I suspect you’re just a little boy grown up. We are just people trying to make our way in this world. For me when I look in the mirror I see a thoughtful, simple person, happy in her skin, crinkles and all!! grateful for the opportunity to live a good life in a wonderful country. I’m happy but never content. The older I get the more energy I feel. Not sure how that works but for me it’s the way I decided I wanted to age. I started my jewellery design/manufacturing business when I turned 50, so I’ve lots to do, I’m 20 yrs in and enjoy everyday. I work 3 days in Brisbane and live 4 days on the Granite Belt in the country on our farm. Work/life balance is important for me because -then your dead. For most they start moving slower, doing less, closing down. They look in the mirror and see old age, I see new beginnings. I’m getting fitter, stronger, smarter & happier. So Richard have another look in your mirror and tell me what you see. Are you like, them or like me…
As I approach 77 at the end of November I feel so much compassion with your musings as I hover between introspection and regret for a life half lived - especially in comparison with what you have managed to achieve, despite your misgivings.
They say the Limbic brain developed within us to enhance our sense of religion, myth and mystery in order to deal witth our specie's realisation of the finality of death and our attempts to reconcile and even counter that realisation. None of which detracts from our reminiscence of the good and the substandard we may have achieved, but in the process it's important never to lose sight of those things we have - our love - whether reciprocated or not, our impact - whether personal or more concrete, our legacy - whether in the souls we have touched or the offspring we have birthed. On all accounts I, at least, can recognise you as a significant human fellow traveller.
Beautiful deep piece, on many levels, thanks for sharing. I’m 70 yr and as I head towards the pointy end of my life I often have moments of “WTF”!! I love living my life, the good the bad & the sad. I’m grateful for it all. I’m learning to be more present so as to enjoy the detail. I have this urge to do more, to totally exhaust every moment as if it’s my last, not sure why but I’m loving my time on this earth. I’ll rest when I’m dead. I guess I’m finally learning how to live rather than exist. Cheers mate.
Cheers to you Janet. I empathize with your thoughts too. I will be 77 years old in a couple of months time and can't understand who the person in the mirror is!
…”can’t understand who the person in the mirror is” -Well the words say that you’re a “ corporate philosopher, futurist and knowledge designer. ” that’s just what you do for a job. Who you are is a whole different thing. You are made of 77 yrs of a whole lot of stuff. I suspect you’re just a little boy grown up. We are just people trying to make our way in this world. For me when I look in the mirror I see a thoughtful, simple person, happy in her skin, crinkles and all!! grateful for the opportunity to live a good life in a wonderful country. I’m happy but never content. The older I get the more energy I feel. Not sure how that works but for me it’s the way I decided I wanted to age. I started my jewellery design/manufacturing business when I turned 50, so I’ve lots to do, I’m 20 yrs in and enjoy everyday. I work 3 days in Brisbane and live 4 days on the Granite Belt in the country on our farm. Work/life balance is important for me because -then your dead. For most they start moving slower, doing less, closing down. They look in the mirror and see old age, I see new beginnings. I’m getting fitter, stronger, smarter & happier. So Richard have another look in your mirror and tell me what you see. Are you like, them or like me…