Monday 21 January 2013

There is nothing sadder than acting your age

I saw that quote on a note book and it made me smile. I have a friend who's daughter is my age (I actually have a lot of friends whose children are my age, but that's another story), and she once said she prefered to hang out with 'people my age' because we have more in common, and that friends her own age were becoming very dull, just wanting to complain about ailments or things they don't like in the world, and never wanting to do anything. They just seemed old and boring.  I remember being quite taken aback by her words, but from time to time, when sitting in a room of people, bored with the conversation, those words spring back into my head and make me smile. Ironically, I go and see more concerts with these friends who are now seniors than with any of my other friends. The woman often introduces me to new singers from around the globe, as she seems to know everyone's new music, a very handy friend to have.

Last night we went to see David Byrne and St Vincent. Byrne is still as quirky as ever, and while he's no longer a young man, you can see he clearly loves what he does, and has fun doing the show. There is a moment when he lays down on the ground for a song, popping up to sing lines, then laying back down. The quote jumped into my head. There is nothing sadder than acting your age. He's 60ish but still dancing around in his odd fashion and creating a visually entertaining performance. Not in a 'trying to still be cool' way, or in a desperate 'I'm still young and hip' way, but clearly comfortable in his skin, in a 'here I am, this is what I like to do' fashion.

I delight in reminding myself that aging doesn't have to be the way we tend to think of it, the way I sometimes panic about. The body might decline but the spirit doesn't have to.  Mind you, maybe it comes with a warning, as Byrne is most famous for singing "Watch out, you might get what you're after".

Linking up with #MLSTL

32 comments:

  1. How very true !!! Maybe this is why my Dad is always happy when people say "Gosh - are you really 75" !!!
    Have the best day !
    Me

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  2. I like this story. I still act like I am in my 20's most days.
    What struck me was that her friends just wanted to "complain about ailments or things they don't like in the world". They may be whingers, but it also struck me that far too many young people have ailments. I personally try to focus on the good in the world but can commiserate with those suffering. It really worries me that there seems to be an epidemic of kids younger and younger who have "ailments".
    Is it the crap that they are spraying over our foods, our sedentary lifestyle or are we bringing up our kids to be as sook's?
    Becc @ Take Charge Now via #ibot

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    1. My friend is particularly game - she came to the footy with me with a broken foot! And my kids each trod on her foot at least once, squishing in between those seats...(I think it's understandable when some people find it hard to get out cos of illness. I have little tolerance when people use their kids as excuses tho - when you say "bring 'em!"

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  3. Age is definitely a mindset! Thank goodness. Otherwise I may just shrivel up and die slowly in a corner. I personally haven't aged a bit! Except in wisdom perhaps (I hope).
    Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit

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  4. I also like:
    "Growing older is inevitable. Growing UP is optional."
    How great you have a live music partner. Wonderful to hear.
    Visiting via #teamIBOT

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    1. That is indeed one of my favourite sayings....

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  5. I wrote a similar post to these today... the body may age but the heart doesnt have to.
    What a wonderful friend to have xx

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    1. Did you put it up? I couldn't see it - by my iphone can be weird. Will try from laptop...

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  6. I saw David Byrne at the Sydney Opera House a couple of years ago and I was surprised with the broad age range of his audience. It was fabulous! And he was amazing!
    I love the idea that we don't have to act our age. I know I certainly don't!

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  7. yes, he does have broad appeal, tho as the girl behind me said "there's a lot of white hair"....

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  8. Oh yes, I still mentally think I am 22!

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  9. Such a great idea. I have no intention of acting my age, except perhaps my current one, now, when I reach 60. I LOVE it when people think I'm 10 years younger than I am. Suspect this means I'm extremely childish and immature, but at least my kids will enjoy hanging out with me!

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    1. I also LOVE it when people think I'm younger, but I'm afraid it happens less and less unless they are much OLDER than me. My looks are giving me away!

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  10. I do love this saying! When I act my age I feel tired and exhausted!
    I keep forgetting my age though, I went backwards a few times and now I just forget.
    Visiting from IBOT

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    1. I forget too - well, more get confused. Sometimes I say more and sometimes less...My partner really can't believe it. I guess I just don't care enough about it for it to sink in...

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    2. When I go to look at your blog (to share the love), it doesn't bring anything up on google profiles. Am I missing it somewhere? please give me the name if I'm being an idiot...

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  11. I turned 40 this year, I used to think it meant the start of "over the hill". I don't feel 40, It's just a number. Sometimes I feel as silly as I was when I was 20! Maybe its my little ones keeping me young!

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  12. I had an English teacher and she said once "I know you won't understand this, but I feel the same as I did when I was your age". At the time we did think she was silly but now I totally get it!!

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  13. Great post. Im 64 and apart from ill health I still feel and think like a younger person. sometimes lol visiting from #mlstl

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  14. Reminds me of a favorite quote: "How old would you be if you didn't know how old you were?" Satchel Paige #MLSTL shared on SM

    https://ourprimeyears.com/2019/08/18/team-susan-50actsofkindness/

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  15. I love that quote. I remember as a child sitting in a room of adults complaining about their illnesses. I swore to myself then and there that I would never become that person. Through good luck and attention to self-care, I have not had many health problems. However, if I catch myself complaining about aging in general I remind myself of that day and stop. #MLSTL

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  16. So very true. Love it. I am told that I need to act my age by people and I say never. I will always enjoy things in life. Great quote.#MLSTL

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  17. Love it. The term I dislike most in this world is "age-appropriate"... seriously? #MLSTL

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  18. I completely agree Lydia - we choose how we want to be as we get older. We can sit around and be all doom and gloom and discuss our latest malady, or we can choose to embrace life and live it our terms - I know which one I prefer!
    Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I've shared on my SM :)

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  19. I totally agree Lydia, it is our attitude that ages and sometimes well before our time. I'm another year older this week but that will not define how I live my life. Thanks for sharing at #MLSTL and I've shared on SM :) xx

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  20. What a great story Lydia and the quote is very true! I enjoy meeting with all age groups and definitely don't realise I'm as old as I am sometimes! #mlstl

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  21. I have more friends on-line that are the same age or younger than my kids and I do think I can relate to them well. Love this! Thanks for sharing...you do not have to be pigeon-holed by age. Ever.
    Denyse #mlstl

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  22. Good insight Lydia. Visiting you at MLSTL and wish you many quality years ahead.

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