ANOTHER BIRTHDAY

Yesterday was my birthday. 55. Someone sent me a message asking "Where have the years gone?" Good question. I don't feel 55. Oh - sure, my body feels it. But inside - the real me - doesn't feel 55. I remember my mother seemed so old at 55 - and she acted that way. Perhaps it was simply a different era then. I remember she wore muted colors and was so reserved. Not me. I LOVE bright colors and am happy to own a fabulously wild collection of Reebok Hi-top sneakers. Makes me feel good to dress "happy". At least, that is how I think about it.

I am still growing and learning something new every day - and life seems to be more interesting the older I get. Maybe it's that I don't take things so much for granted and so I see life with more appreciative eyes. I'm not locked into any rigid beliefs - and feel more courageous to try new things than I did when I was younger. I don't feel hampered by outside opinions as much as I used to. That's a move in the right direction, I think.

I'm not so hard on myself. I've learned to be quick to forgive - others and myself. I try not to look back at my mistakes, and not place too much energy in tomorrow. Today is enough for me - and I try to be aware of my blessings on a daily basis. There are a lot of them. Actually, I have discovered that the things I value most at this point in life were not even on my radar when I was younger. The person I thought I wanted to be at 21 is nothing like the person I am at 55. I like the older version so much better.

So - to answer the question "Where did the years go?", I would have to say that perhaps a lot of them passed without me paying attention. Maybe life's circumstances were leading me along. But now, I am aware - I am more accepting of what happens each day - and I feel blessed and happy to have each new day before me.

I would highly recommend age 55 and I hope I have even more praise for age 56. Besides, the alternative to growing older sucks!