Well, my famous aging words, “I may have told you this before” 😂 but — I’ve been doing Julia Cameron’s 12 week course, The Artist’s Way, developing, opening up creativity. Age doesn’t matter. It’s definitely a fun way to look to the future while living in the present.
I skipped a lot of her preamble to each chapter. I already knew most of that, but I was in a group so it forced me to stay on track. My "creative child" is alive & well, just not organized. Ha Ha!
Most of us grimace at the foolishness of our younger selves. How little we really knew, how silly we were to think we knew it all. Age brings perspective, experience, its own brand of wisdom. Of that we can be proud. We have grown mentally. We know to ask the questions our younger selves didn’t even begin to think of. So thanks for reminding us how far we have come and have yet to grow.
It did cross my mind while writing Brenda. What will I think when I am 80? But I will have my Substack essays to look back on and chuckle. It doesn’t stop me wanting to be as fit and strong as possible.
This is such an important subject. Like everything else, aging is Both/And. Both an expansion of learning and capacities and a reorientation to what we can reasonably expect of ourselves. "I do not want to turn aging into another performance project"....is the key sentence for me. This goes for all spiritual practices. If it's all about "achievement," something crucial is getting lost along the way.
Thanks Susie. I have to keep reminding myself ‘it’s not a performance’ but I still love little accomplishments like a small increase in weight I lift, a mobility move I can still do. That gives me a good feeling.
I swear you are telling my story right down to using the word 'Bulletproof' as my previous state of mind. I also like your use of the word gravity, you start to notice things in a deeper more empathetic manner. I'm 73 and things are suddenly cropping up like leaks in a boat I attend to them all. I like you balance of being kind to yourself and still 'Rage against the dying of the light'. Thank you.
Yes it is important to focus on what we can build. But don’t let there be another set of rules for it. I’ve started writing here about Resiliance and Resistance in the Fourth Age. It is vital to know the difference. My outlook and experience is a lot different now that I’m 82 than it was at 72. Love you post though.
I’d rather focus on what I can do, rather than what I can’t.
I recently had a total hip replacement; part of my motivation for doing it sooner rather than later was to still be as active, or hopefully be more active than I’ve felt able to be ( because of said hip ) for the next however many years.
I hope to be able to horse ride again, and to learn to sail 🤞
12 weeks after my operation I often forget that I’ve had it done; a few more weeks and I’ll hopefully be back in the saddle.
Make the most of it whilst you’ve got it, is one of my mantra’s.
We had that conversation at the gym the other day. One of our group had a knee op this week. She’d stoically held out until it was essential but you have shown the other side of that - get it done and move on. I like that attitude. Thanks for reading Lee.
Brilliant mindset, one I’m struggling with so reading your post helps.
We’re all learning as we go Tracey. Thanks for reading.
Well, my famous aging words, “I may have told you this before” 😂 but — I’ve been doing Julia Cameron’s 12 week course, The Artist’s Way, developing, opening up creativity. Age doesn’t matter. It’s definitely a fun way to look to the future while living in the present.
I started Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way over 2 decades ago, but couldn't quite get into it. I love hearing your experiences with it.
I skipped a lot of her preamble to each chapter. I already knew most of that, but I was in a group so it forced me to stay on track. My "creative child" is alive & well, just not organized. Ha Ha!
Looking forward to your creative output.
Most of us grimace at the foolishness of our younger selves. How little we really knew, how silly we were to think we knew it all. Age brings perspective, experience, its own brand of wisdom. Of that we can be proud. We have grown mentally. We know to ask the questions our younger selves didn’t even begin to think of. So thanks for reminding us how far we have come and have yet to grow.
It did cross my mind while writing Brenda. What will I think when I am 80? But I will have my Substack essays to look back on and chuckle. It doesn’t stop me wanting to be as fit and strong as possible.
Indeed!
This is such an important subject. Like everything else, aging is Both/And. Both an expansion of learning and capacities and a reorientation to what we can reasonably expect of ourselves. "I do not want to turn aging into another performance project"....is the key sentence for me. This goes for all spiritual practices. If it's all about "achievement," something crucial is getting lost along the way.
Thanks Susie. I have to keep reminding myself ‘it’s not a performance’ but I still love little accomplishments like a small increase in weight I lift, a mobility move I can still do. That gives me a good feeling.
I swear you are telling my story right down to using the word 'Bulletproof' as my previous state of mind. I also like your use of the word gravity, you start to notice things in a deeper more empathetic manner. I'm 73 and things are suddenly cropping up like leaks in a boat I attend to them all. I like you balance of being kind to yourself and still 'Rage against the dying of the light'. Thank you.
I’m going to be giving it my best shot. I have some good genes I don’t take for granted.
Yes it is important to focus on what we can build. But don’t let there be another set of rules for it. I’ve started writing here about Resiliance and Resistance in the Fourth Age. It is vital to know the difference. My outlook and experience is a lot different now that I’m 82 than it was at 72. Love you post though.
Thanks so much for your thoughts Patricia. I’ll be interested in your 80s perspective.
Yep. Me too.
I’d rather focus on what I can do, rather than what I can’t.
I recently had a total hip replacement; part of my motivation for doing it sooner rather than later was to still be as active, or hopefully be more active than I’ve felt able to be ( because of said hip ) for the next however many years.
I hope to be able to horse ride again, and to learn to sail 🤞
12 weeks after my operation I often forget that I’ve had it done; a few more weeks and I’ll hopefully be back in the saddle.
Make the most of it whilst you’ve got it, is one of my mantra’s.
We had that conversation at the gym the other day. One of our group had a knee op this week. She’d stoically held out until it was essential but you have shown the other side of that - get it done and move on. I like that attitude. Thanks for reading Lee.
Hi Robyn, I totally agree with this. That is my focus as well - yes there is decline - and at the same time their are new options and possibilities.