The Wisdom of (Time Goes By) Elders

Wow! I’m knocked out by your responses to Mel in yesterday’s post. What a lot of wise and thoughtful writing that can benefit people of any age. But I already knew that about the Time Goes By community.

People like to collect quotations. They are usually culled from the writings of the famous, but as I read the comments yesterday, I was amazed at how quotable they are. We could publish our own book of quotations about getting old and it could compete with any “professional” publications. Here are some of them:

“I think the first step in overcoming some of the ageism in society is for those who are over a certain age to stop feeling the need to prove their relevance to a youth culture.”

- Neil of Citizen of the Month

“You can approach aging (elderhood) with curiosity, or with fear and loathing. It’s a choice.”

- Steven of Projections

“If I am blessed to have the gift of many years on this earth, I for one want them to be filled with people applauding my arrival into each decade of life, while I hold out my arms to welcome the legions coming behind me.”

- Jackie

“…she hasn't met everyone she's going to meet or gone everywhere she's going to go or done everything she's going to do. She hasn't received a big ol' hug from her grandchild.”

- AQ of Always Question

“The youthful look is replaced with the acceptance of the fact that your physical appearance is not very important.”

- Darlene

“If you're not really enjoying it right now, well, this will pass. And if you're having a blast right now, well, this too will pass. But it's still a great trip.”

- Anne of Mzedell’s Page

“We are individuals and you won't age like the books or even your friends.”

- Rain of Rainy Day Thoughts

“The future is a blank page and it's your choice what you do with it.”

- Kay Dennison of Kay’s Thinking Cap

“I no longer have to justify any action I make or word I speak other [than] to myself and my gods.”

- Lilalia of Yum Yum Café

“To my complete surprise, my world opened up at age 50. I decided to do the things I'd always wanted to do, but did not have the time.”

- Claire Jean

“I enrich my life with what brings me joy, endeavor to be as authentic as I know how, and experience every interaction with grace, compassion and encouragement.”

- Bridgemor

“If it weren't for the five minutes I spend in front of the bathroom mirror every morning, I doubt if I'd ever realize how old I am.”

- Mythster

“That is not to say I don't have moments of melancholy when I dreadfully miss dear ones. For that, I've made up a comforting excuse. Without shadows, one can't fully appreciate sunshine.”

- Roberta S of Elusive Abstractions

[At The Elder Storytelling Place today, Lia finishes up her series on humiliation and mortification with a story about herself titled Meeting My In-Laws.]