Many years ago I wrote this letter to my 18 year old self, and not much has changed. Life gets harder and harder for people as they age - or their enjoyment of life seems harder to obtain. I will be honest, I love being around young people - their energy, enthusiasm and attitude is contagious.
I heard this song and a few of the lines struck me. While he's talking to that uncertain and possibly confused or scared younger version of himself, I thought it applies to the older adults who feel they should have it together by now but are still far from smooth sailing due to money stress, marriage disintergration, depression or other illness. It's a secret that is kept from you when you're young. Older people really don't have it more together, and they certainly don't enjoy what they have more.
Rather than repeat my previous post, I'll leave you with 3 key lines of wisdom from Eric Hutchinson - or better yet, listen to the song.
Gonna make mistakes, but they won't define you
Keep growing up, but don't get old
Things are gonna change, but change is better than you thought
Happiness is not the elusive goal, it is the by product of how you spend your time. Spend it properly.
Linking with #RubyTuesdayToo because I was playing this song the other day and it made me think about this post. What would you write in a letter to yourself?
...a catchy tune. Other than my aches and pains me life is wonderful, I have the time to pass along slowly and take in the details that make life special. I'm not sure that I want to be younger at this point. Thanks for your take on life, enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI like the lyrics they spoke to me x #twinklytuesday
ReplyDeleteOh such wise words, I love the one on happiness, so true #Twinklytuesday
ReplyDeleteHi Lydia, Admit I was attracted to your post, because of the beautiful sunset. Partying with you at MLSTL. I believe those that see beauty despite their challenges can lead a rich and bountiful life. Thanks for sharing and sending positive energy to you.
ReplyDeleteIt's a funny thing but I really thought that now we'd have it together and would be coasting to retirement. When I look around at friends our age or a little older (I'm 52 and hubby is 57) nearly everyone is dealing with challenges that they absolutely didn't expect - marriages, kids, aging parents, redundancy... It happened to us and the change was (in hindsight), while stressful and unexpected, the absolute best thing to have happened. I think we've chosen to look for the happy or the contentment...wow, that's a lot of philosophy for a Wednesday morning!
ReplyDeleteSo this is what I wonder, did our parents generation not face all this or did they keep it secret? No one warns you that it never changes (& in some way gets harder just because more friends will get cancer or die of something age related than when you are 18).
DeleteBut glad your change was better than you expected!
DeleteMy Dad is 95. I can talk to him now about all sorts of things but if Mum were still around she would not. My Dad went through some horrendous life challenges (grew up in the Depression, his dad died when Dad was 11, they lived in a town which discriminated his family because of long-time family feuds) and this was all before he came of age, got work, qualified as an accountant and got married..and more. It was not talked about. But life threw people BIG stressors.
DeleteA good reminder to spend our time wisely. #MLSTL
ReplyDeleteHi Lydia, I like your phrase "won't define you." A theme that is showing up in my radar "How you spend your time." A good reminder. #MLSTL
ReplyDeleteLoved that video and the different things each of them shared. Happiness is definitely a byproduct of a life lived well and one where we march to our own drumbeat and stop trying to fit in the boxes we think others expect us to conform to.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I've shared on my SM :)
This line really resonates with me: "Happiness is not the elusive goal, it is the by product of how you spend your time. Spend it properly." Spend time with people you love, doing things you enjoy. #MLSTL
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous video Lydia and I wish I had had that song and message growing up and even up until the age of 50. I've learned that happiness comes from within and as Christie said 'spending time with people you love and doing things you enjoy'. This video is a great reminder at any age really so thank you for sharing at #MLSTL
ReplyDeleteI always believe that - that change always turns out to be better than you thought. It generally scares me but I try to embrace it anyway. Wise words #twinklytuesday
ReplyDeleteAwesome song! Good advice too :) #openslather
ReplyDeleteI was always so scared of change, great line to say change is better than you thought because it has been and now I can embrace new things without such fear. Thank you for sharing with #ABloggingGoodTime
ReplyDeleteI love this about mistakes not defining you. I think I would have liked to hear that wisdom when I was much younger.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next time
Very wise words, I will have to check the song out now. #KCACOLS
ReplyDeleteI love the happiness quote - spot on! #kcacols
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that my mistakes don't define me!
ReplyDelete