Monday, October 21, 2013

Motivational Monday


THE BEST WAY TO LOOK AT AGING
IS TO SEE IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY
TO LEAVE WHAT DIDN'T WORK BEHIND
AND STEP BOLDLY INTO A BRAND NEW FUTURE.
(Oprah Winfrey)

So much of what I hear about aging is related to loss. We lose the tautness of our skin, bone density, hearing, the color in our hair (hello, gray!) We lose mental acuity, memories, friends. We lose hopes. We lose dreams. 

And to some degree, that's true. That's aging. That's life. 

But.  

Read the quote again. Really read it. Think about it. 

Now, what are you going to "lose" this time around? Sure, maybe some muscle tone but what else? What are you going to choose to lose? Those "thin clothes" from when you were 22 that you will never, ever fit into again? The compulsion to say "yes" when you mean "no"?  The tendency to agree, to go along because it's easier? Will you finally let go of those dreams and those goals you've outgrown the way you have those "thin clothes"? 

The more we let go of the past, of what didn't work, the more space, the more strength we have to welcome the new, the bold, the sometimes scary, the challenging, the breathless hopes, the exciting dreams. We become reborn. We become renewed.

Let's keep this in mind not only this week, but also as birthdays roll around and as each year slowly draws to a close. 

*****

I'm taking a blogging break this week to put the finishing touches on my ebook and to prep for NaNo. I might even - gasp! - relax and do something fun. But I'll drop in here and probably pop around the blogosphere now and then. Have a good week!  

16 comments:

  1. This is a very good and healthy way to view aging. It's all about perspective isn't it? Have a good blogging break this week :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The trick is to hold onto that perspective amid all the other more negative ones. :)

      Delete
  2. Letting go of what didn't work is a smart idea.
    I can still fit in my clothes from thirty years ago though. Well, the t-shirts anyway, as I've gotten rid of everything else.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm pretty sure my husband still has t-shirts from 30 years ago, too... :)

      Delete
  3. This is a great way to look at getting older. I've been feeling ancient lately so I am going to try to change my perspective.

    Good luck with your ebook and NaNo prep! Have a great week. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Some days I feel ancient, too. Changing perspective really does help, at least some of the time. :)

      Delete
  4. I love that quote and this view of aging. I've actually been thinking about this aging business quite a lot lately. Like Keith said, it's definitely about perspective!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have a birthday coming up soon so I'm taking your words to heart. I did get rid of some of my 'skinny' clothes because they're long out of style. I have replaced some old dreams with new ones and try to appreciate what I've accomplished in place of those never to be plans.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love that last part of your comment, Susan, about appreciating what you HAVE accomplished as opposed to being upset about what you didn't.

      Delete
  6. Definitely relax and have fun! And thanks for the thoughts - inspiring as ever.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I hope you have a fun break Madeline and your eBook will rock I'm sure.

    ReplyDelete
  8. An eBook? Finally! =] I need more space in my brain, so letting go of the past sounds like the way to go.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I need more brain space, too. :)

      And yes, an ebook. Very soon!

      Delete