The Next 50
“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.” – Sophia Loren
I am taking a few days off to relax and enjoy the remaining hours of my 49th year. People asked what I am going to do and I told them that I am going to reflect on the past 50 years and think about what I am going to do with my next 50 years. Time moves quickly and slowly at the same time. We wish days away and then suddenly we’re 50 and feel like 30.
If we don’t pause along the way to witness what was and is right now, we miss the gifts and blessings that surround and embrace us. Regret can only be avoided if we remain present in each moment and aware of our power over our own lives and not distracted by the noise.
When we’re younger, we work on getting experience to get to the next thing, the next promotion, the next opportunity, the next trophy… Now I am more interested in experiencing each day giving my best regardless of recognition, learning new things, gaining insight, creating meaning, traveling lighter, letting worries go, trying to be much less serious and making good use of the experience I have earned by growing others.
Looking back, I don’t have the life I thought I would have but I have the life I was meant to and doing my best to live it well. And each day is overflowing with gratitude, grace, love and sprinkled with delight in the simple moments. Figure out what really matters right now and make each day its own end. So instead of the next 50 years, I think I’ll focus on the next 50 minutes.
Happy birthday…
Thanks – birthdays make us appreciate the rest of the 364 days
Happy soon to celebrate 50! Whoo hoo!
Started early in case i wake up on Sunday and forget. Good to celebrate everyday!
Happy Bithday, dear cousin! I love your blog today. You’re so right. We need to live our life for today. Glad you are joining the “50’s” club!
A few days away but the 50s club rocks! Thanks Laura – family and friemds make the journey so much sweeter.
Enjoy your birthday. You are (already) wise beyond your years.
Thank you – life is good!
Thank you. And a very happy birthday.
Thanks
What a great attitude! Since I’m only one year behind you, I found your post most timely…
Cheers to many more fabulous journeys around the sun — Happy Birthday!!!
Thank you – savor each day!
Definitely life is sweeter in the moment. Happy B day.
Indeed – thanks
Happy Birthday! I hope you find that this side of 50 is fabulous!
That’s the plan – thank you.
Wishing you a very happy birthday. … and let me tell you the other side of 50 is fabulous too, we are wiser and enjoy life more intensely. Have a lovely day!
Excellent – thank you!
Happy Birthday! I hope you have a great day!
Thank you
Well said! Happy belated birthday. Hope you are enjoying each moment of every day of every year.
Blessings!
Thank you so much – staying in the present moment as much as possible.