Connect
← Return to How do you deal with aging?
Discussion
Comment receiving replies
We are having a remarkable conversation, very open and honest.
The first time I recall being afraid of death I was about 8 or 9 years old and I have worked to be comfortable with the thought ever since. I’ve come to feel that life is not something we can “have” or “own.” Being alive is something we experience just “now” in this moment of life. In that sense life is the same whether we die at 25, 65, 85 or 105. Living in this moment is all we can really have. If, in worrying about whether I’ll be alive ten years from now I lose my present moment of life, it’s as if I’ve made myself dead already! And if I can make my moment of life fuller and richer, I have already extended my life.
Being a bit naturally greedy, I usually start my day thinking of what I’d most like to do. That does include taking out the garbage, because I’d like to see the house clean. We have a beautiful battery powered vacuum, so for the first time in my life I like vacuuming because I love the vacuum cleaner, and it makes me a hero with my wife.
But especially I love making and learning thing and some of my projects can go on for years. Yes, that’s thinking ahead, but giving my day a purpose makes getting going more fun.
My best moments are when I feel gratitude. The things folks are sharing here make me feel that we belong together for this, and that we are making our living moments better. It’s a wonderful power we have!
And Thank You!
Replies to "We are having a remarkable conversation, very open and honest. The first time I recall being..."
Connect
Ed, I absolutely love your input! Once again, I'm going to print out what you wrote and refer to it whenever I'm feeling down about the aging process. I agree completely that the best moments are feeling gratitude and personally, I'm incredibly grateful for all that I have and am able to do. I recall only too well when my father-in-law who worked for someone else was fired on his 65th birthday 🙁 because a "friend" lied about him. His job meant the world to him and when he know longer had it, his primary purpose in life was taken away from him. He died 4 years later. I never forget about that when I realize how incredibly fortunate I am to be an independent contractor and not an employee at the whim of an uncaring boss. For me, love of family and lots of volunteering on top of my career also help tremendously.