You don’t see it coming….you are too occupied with other things – with the minutiae of life…. you just aren’t paying attention.

60 crept up on me.  I remember my Mom telling me that she didn’t FEEL her age.  I didn’t “get” what she meant from the ignorant bliss of my teens, but I sure as heck get it now.  It’s not the word FEEL in the literal sense – I have the aches and pains, the reading glasses, the foods that no longer “agree with me”,   I bargain with my various joints in the morning if they will just help me get out of bed.

It’s more FEEL in that I laugh and talk with everyone I meet, I still want to play games, I am enthusiastic and excited about silly things, in fact I frequently get the “sillies”, I hold doors for “old” people who are in reality younger than I am.  In my heart I FEEL young.  It’s the nuts and bolts that betray me completely.

And things hurt more….. I used to be so optimistic… I was invincible!  When did everything begin to hurt so much?  When did I begin crying on a daily basis?  I don’t even know….  I’m just tired of hurting.

But here I am and 60 has arrived in all its glory!  And after objectively assessing myself, I have a few changes that need to be made.

1.  Weight loss – as I’ve said before, I’ve been on a diet since the womb.  The number of pounds I’ve lost is legendary.  Unfortunately they all reattached themselves to various areas of my body.   I need to get rid of them now…. the arthritis in my knees and my blood pressure would certainly appreciate it if I’d lighten the load a bit.
2.   Exercise – goes hand in hand with number 1.  The problem is that I have to find different ways to exercise.  There are certain motions I cannot do.   I’ve been Sweating to the Oldies with Richard Simmons for 25 years.  Love that guy.  But now some of those slick dance moves of mine are a bit of a challenge.  Got to work on that.
3.  Career(s) – Since I’ll have to work until they carry me away, I want to enjoy what I do, and I want to be adequately compensated for it.  That all becomes more of a challenge as you get older.  The corporate world claims that there is no ageism in the workplace.  The corporate world lies.  I’ve seen it happen, I’ve experienced it myself.  There is no respect for age…. for experience.  It’s a youth oriented world, and a lot of valuable knowledge and great people are lost because of it.
4.   Stress – I’m drowning in it.  From all directions.  And I’m tired of it, as are many of you.  This is NOT where I should be at this time in my life.  I’m resigned to some of it – but the rest has got to stop.  Somewhere along the way I deserved better.
5.   Happiness – in theory this should not be that difficult.  It takes so little to make me happy.  I never needed expensive things.  Kindness, love, compassion, laughter, loyalty  – those are the things that make me happy.  Knowing that just once in a while I come first to someone.   The littlest things make me happy.  I set the bar too low – I should have tried for more.

So what am I going to do about it?   Well I’ll tell you….

Here is my self-proclaimed Declaration for Me;

1.  Eliminate those extra pounds – but don’t try to do it all at once!  Eat healthy and sensibly.  Avoid those foods that make my body turn on me like a snake.  Allow myself a small treat once in a while – everything in moderation – dieting and treats!
2.   Sensible exercise – long walks with my best fella (the man in my life is my Golden Retriever), weeding my flower garden, raking my crabgrass – and when I get those aches and pains under control, Sweatin’ to those Oldies with my buddy Richard Simmons!
3.   Work at what I need to survive – but add something in which I take pride!  Yes, I must have that job to provide benefits.  But I can try my hand at other things too – those things that make me feel good about myself.  Show the world that I am more than just 60.
4.   …. well I haven’t worked out what to do about the stress yet…. stay tuned for that one….
5.   If it truly takes so little to make me happy (and it really does), then be happy in the little things.  Find happiness for myself…. be kind and compassionate to myself.  Show myself loyalty – and don’t take less from others than I give to them.                                                                                                                                                                                I can’t change myself completely – and I don’t have to.  So what if I cry at beautiful things…. and painful things…. and sad things….   I’ve earned the right to cry – for the many times that I swallowed my tears.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              I’m 60…. I’m going to give it all my best effort and make the best of ME….                                                                                                                                                                               Check back in and I’ll let you know how it goes!