Don’t underestimate the powers of an open mind and open heart. While alot of people are concerned with staying physically young; as I contemplate another rotation around the sun, I’m honestly more interested in maintaining curiosity and wonder. If we lose those, that’s when we feel old. If you think about it, no age of life is inglorious.
Of course youth has its merits. There are things I miss about being younger; chiefly the ability to pull all-nighters and get up the next day without my body making sound effects, eating fried food without a prilosec chaser, being smiled at by boys I didn’t know who thought I was cute; and fuck I wish I had the eyesight I had even 10 years ago…but that stuff feels pretty trivial.
I’m happy. I have real, true, glorious friends, and I’ve been able to do real good for the things and people I care about. Sadly, mid-century is around the time friends and family start to leave our lives, but then, I’m glad that time gave them to me, to befriend, to love, even for a while, and that I was alive to know them. The purpose in life is to be happy! That’s all that is required from you. Embrace life, embrace yourself, embrace others, embrace happiness. Say yes to every positive opportunity that comes your way, especially if it makes your heart skip a beat. Happiness spreads to others and can help heal the world.
As the days roll through each calendar, remember that living to a ripe old age has a statement of value. Aging is the road that we take to discern our character. Fame, fortune and youth can elude us, and often does, but character is immortal.