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You are here: Home / books / Birthday Reflections

Birthday Reflections

December 5, 2012 by admin

Yesterday I turned 54, a number that I find somehow surprising. Physically, I feel no different from when I was younger. In fact, in many ways I am stronger and healthier than I was then. I’m still limber enough to surprise an unsuspecting massage therapist who decides to stretch my legs. It wasn’t always so. At age 26, when I first took up yoga, I couldn’t touch my toes, so I’ve gotten better with age.

Mentally, I feel smarter and wiser, though part of being smarter and wiser is knowing that you’re not so smart or wise. I still take delight in learning new things. This year, my education centered in the home as I learned the arts of canning food and spinning wool.

We took a big step several months ago and moved from Houston, where I had lived for 30 years. I never thought I would stay there for the rest of my life, but this year, I finally knew where I wanted to go. It’s been a good decision, and I’m excited about where I live now.

If there is a looming discontent, it’s about the increased urgency to leave a legacy. I’ve putzed around with my writing this year, and I’m ready once again to get serious. I don’t want to beat myself up about it; after all, moving cross-country, from a red state to a blue one (sigh of relief), from a major city to a small town, takes some getting used to. Even though I didn’t write as much as I wanted, I felt as though I was gathering new material that would turn up in my stories. Now, though, I want to roll up my sleeves and git ‘er done. I have several books in process and a Google doc file full of ideas, so I need to get on with it. With my health, I can probably expect many productive years left, but we never know at this point. I’ve said goodbye to friends who didn’t make it this far, so I don’t take my life for granted.

I just started reading Neil Young’s book, Waging Heavy Peace. Though I’m not too far into it, what I find most interesting is that he’s looking forward, engaged in new projects that excite him. In fact, he covers quite a bit of ground before he gets into the “memoir” part of it because he’s so involved in what he’s doing now. I love his restless, chaotic, inventive spirit. As I begin another year in the unstoppable march of time, I hope that I can follow his example.

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Filed Under: books, creativity, Life Changes Tagged With: aging, birthday, dreams, reflections, writing

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Tina Fariss Barbour
Tina Fariss Barbour
10 years ago

Happy birthday! I hope you have many more years to celebrate birthdays!

I can relate to feeling the push of time. I will be 50 in less than six months, and there are things that I am concerned about accomplishing–publishing a book, for one. I’m feeling the push of time, yet I want to savor the time I have, because like you, I know things can happen.

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admin
Author
admin
10 years ago
Reply to  Tina Fariss Barbour

This is such an interesting time of life! Hopefully, together, we can support one another through the journey that remains and realize our dreams. I would love to see you publish a book — you have so much to share!

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Marlene Dotterer
Marlene Dotterer
10 years ago

Happy birthday. Keep on keeping flexible, physically and mentally!

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admin
Author
admin
10 years ago
Reply to  Marlene Dotterer

Thanks!

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