I've recently had my 65th birthday and after wishing me a happy birthday my daughter asked me,
Do you feel old mum?
I stopped for a moment and thought about it.
Hello my name is Jacqueline and welcome to my Tranquil Spirits podcast.
When I was my daughter's age I probably,
Like her,
Did think that reaching 65 years of age would feel old but now I am here I don't feel any different from when I was 64 but I certainly know that I am different from when I was 21,
31 and even 51.
But as the saying goes age really is just a number and I believe we are as old as we feel and think.
If I sit and think about all the things that I can't do such as running a marathon,
Actually I've never really wanted to run a marathon but if I think about all the things that I can't do now which I could do when I was younger then I would quite easily start worrying and thinking oh my gosh I'm so old but instead when I focus on all the things I can do and still do now that I am 65,
Well life truly is pretty exciting.
I still enjoy travelling,
Walking and playing sports much as I did throughout my younger years but the only difference now is my stamina is not as it used to be.
I no longer have the energy to do things for as long as I once did.
A 10 mile walk is not as appealing unless there are multiple stops involved.
Travelling has to have a comfy hotel room at the end of it and playing sports is more at my pace rather than seeing if I can break any records.
What I have learnt the older I get is to know my limitations and with that in mind I know I can do whatever I want to but often in a more gentler and kinder way for my mind and body.
I think it is more in my nature to focus on what I can do rather than on the things I can't do.
There is always a way if we really want to do it.
I have never really been one to follow the crowd and do things because other people do or it's expected of me.
I do things because I enjoy them and with getting older I have had to adapt to doing certain things in a different way.
Ten years ago I decided not to drink alcohol.
I never really enjoyed it and one glass too many caused me to lose a day.
So rather than following the crowd as back then not drinking seemed more socially unacceptable I decided to stop drinking alcohol for myself but even today people look at me strangely when I say I don't drink and still at times insist I have a proper drink as they call it.
Other things which have changed since reaching my 60s I no longer have the desire to stay up late or go out clubbing.
Those days are far behind me but I do enjoy getting up early and sitting with a cuppa whilst reading a gripping novel.
I couldn't imagine doing that when I was younger.
I also take more time to notice the beauty around me when I go outside and I reflect more on the things I am grateful for.
The downside of being older is the loss of loved ones and friends.
A sadness we learn to live with but one I have learnt from.
I now value the time spent with family and friends and take time to reach out to make that date with them rather than saying oh we must get together soon.
The older I get the more I realise I have fewer years in front of me than behind me.
Death will come to us all eventually no one knows how long we have so rather than fretting about it I take each day I'm given and fill it with as much joy as I can feeling grateful for all I am able to do and try not to worry about all the things I can no longer do.
So I am embracing 65 and doing all the things I want to do even if a little slower and for not as long.
Although at times I can hardly believe I am 65 and have to make sure I've calculated it correctly.
Where did those years go?
Time moves fast and like the sand in a sand timer it will eventually run out.
So whatever number you are on your next birthday embrace it with joy and focus on all the things you can do rather than those you can't.
I hope you found this helpful in some way.
Please feel free to message me I enjoy hearing your thoughts and I thank you for taking time to do that.
Have a beautiful day you deserve it and remember always follow that dream.
Thanks so much for listening and I'll speak to you again soon on my next Tranquil Spirits podcast.
Bye for now.
