"Life is lived forward, but understood backward. It is not until we are down the road and we stand on the mountain looking back through the valley that we can appreciate the terrain God has allowed us to scale.” Jill Savage

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Bitter or better . . . it's up to you.


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As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world, too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it, if I choose to read, or play, on the computer, until 4 AM, or sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love, I will.

I will walk the beach, in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves, with abandon, if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.

They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And, I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years, my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break, when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But, broken hearts are what give us strength, and understanding, and compassion. A heart never broken, is pristine, and sterile, and will never know the joy of being


I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face.

So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore.

I've even earned the right to be wrong.

I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it).


♥ ♥ ♥

At church last Sunday guess what the sermon was about? Gratitude. More about that another day, but one thing he said was we spend so much time worrying about tomorrow! We are wasting what life we have left!!!

Well I think a lot of us mature wonderful people have realized that and we have decided to have fun and not worry. What do you think?

Thought for the day:

You cannot prevent the birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from building nests in your hair.

- Chinese Proverb


Love, Chatty...




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46 comments:

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I have never heard that Chinese proverb before - I love it!!

MadSnapper said...

i really like that chines proverb. and i have grown old enough things don't bother me like they used to, but i do not like being old, i am not bitter about it but i don't really like it very much.

Jill said...

I still struggle some days and some days, I don't let anything or anyone bother me. I will keep trying.

Lynn said...

I've got big money woes right now, so it's hard not to worry. (I am a commission sales person - trying to sell printing in a down economy - 'nuff said.) But I never begrudge what other people have and I have fun every day. I also still work hard at what I do and love the clients I do have. That quote is quite apt, I think. No dwelling here!

Unknown said...

you go girl!!!! i love that chinese proverb. have a great day!

Jane said...

I love the chinese proverb too ! And I too have come to realize that what other people think,is not the do all end all of anything! In some ways I am enjoying getting older too,but in other ways I miss my younger days,and likely always will. Blessings Jane

Shelly said...

This is a wonderful post! Gratitude is truly the sweetener for all of life.

Aarthi said...

lovely post



Aarthi
http://yummytummy-aarthi.blogspot.com/

TexWisGirl said...

gonna have to keep working on this lesson. :)

forgetmenot said...

What great thoughts--all of us "older people" need to read this and "take heed". Thank you for passing along these words of wisdom. Mickie :)

Bev said...

So true! Great post Sandi!

Beansieleigh said...

Another great post to start my day Chatty! LOVED the last Chinese proverb, and feeling inspired, I may just include that into my "Book of Days" art journal sometime soon! (0; Transitioning from the young girl I still want to be, to the older girl I'm starting to look and feel like, has not been easy this past year. I don't like it, of course! As for gray hair, I don't see much if any of that yet, but I'm definitely seeing the lines on my face. My weight has become unpredictable. I HATE these darn hot flashes, and my entire wardrobe is now forced by this issue! And of course, I have regrets/circumstances that I COULD be bitter about, if I let myself feel that way.. I just really want to thank you for letting me know I'm not alone, and for helping me to get through it all!! ~tina

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

I believe in the moment I have, not the mistakes of yesterday, nor the promises of tomorrow. I believe in looking for laughter in all things and finding the silver lining, no matter the circumstances. I have traveled this road of life caring too much about what people think of me, and although I still might fall into old patterns, I have found peace and joy in the person I am.

I am one cool, old babe!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I like that we both have chosen to be better! I enjoyed spending time with you yesterday. You brighten my day always and fill my soul with friendship. love you, Linda

Betty said...

I like getting old too...except for the aches and pains. What's happened? I really want to get back to exercising. I always felt better when I moved around more.

No one with cats sleeps until noon! They're little alarm clocks.

Shoutforfood said...

great chinese proverb.

Marti said...

It is great being old, and it's so nice to be able to say, when I am questioned why I did something, to say because I'm old. I like being accountable only to God and myself, I like being able to wash clothes at midnight, or read all day. Yes, being old is great.

GrammyK said...

Isn't it just more fun to not be uptight?? I mean what's the point?? Sheesh!! For many years now I have tried to make life work for us as much as possible instead of freaking out about how "off" things can get.

I haven't been able to get on the computer much the past few days so I'm catching up on your blog this morning...

I love the puppy in the bowl pictures!! It kind of reminds me of the time I had a fellow homeschooling mom that I've been friends with for many years tell me about how one day she walked into her living room and discovered her two small boys had flipped the reclining chair over and had crawled inside their new "fort". She said she whipped their butts good. And I was like "Really?" (with an astounded look on my face I'm sure) She said "Yeah! And just what would you have done?" as a kind of challenge or something. I told her I probably would have ran for the camera and had a good laugh. I mean what's the harm?

My kids say that I am a very "unique" mom in that I don't freak out like most moms do about all that stuff that freaks them out. Case in point... One day I was walking out of WalMart and saw this 12 or 13 year old boy "leapfrog" a yellow concrete pillar to block parking up toward the entrance. The pillar was almost as tall as me (I'm only 5' though!) and I was like, "Whoa! Check you out!!" and laughing. The mom turned around and her face just went "total freak out" and she screamed "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!!! GET DOWN FROM THERE!!" I started thinking "there has got to be something wrong with me" and asked my girls (who were waiting in the car for me) what they thought about the whole thing. Their thoughts were that if there was something "wrong" with me they were happy as clams, thank you very much.

As I've aged I've mellowed out so much. I figure that by the time I'm 70 I'll just be a puddle of jello!! :-) And I'm ok with that!! Sure beats being a burnt-to-a-crisp t-bone steak kind of person that would crack their face if they smiled!!

Sorry for the long comment!! ;-)

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Another great post, Sandie! Yes, I love being able to stay up half the night if I want to and then sleep most of the morning if I want to. I can eat lunch for breakfast if I want to. Getting old/older is just fine...except for the aches and pains of course!

Marie said...

Wonderful post! Love the chinese proverb!
I struggle with this every other day, but I'm working on it. I have to be concerned for tomorrow, but I appreciate and enjoy today. :)

Debby@Just Breathe said...

What a great message. I think that sometimes I am bitter so I must change my ways because I have so much to be thankful for. Have a great day!

Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️ said...

Hi Sandie,

This is so true. You have taught me so much already. You have inspired me to live more like you. ♡

xo,
Dee

Wanda's Wings said...

Oh so true!

Clint said...

Worry has been called "the greatest form of atheism". Just let's all give it to God and let Him take care of the worrying.

Mark Lowry says "You got your worry, you got your cholesterol. Keep the cholesterol---it's a lot more fun."

Southhamsdarling said...

Hi Sandie. I've seen that first one many times before, but it really is good. I have also lost friends far too young, and I feel grateful every day for all my blessings, and the fact that I am still here, to enjoy another year, and to do all the lovely things I do. I am blessed indeed.

Eat To Live said...

Good for you Sandie!! We all need to be kinder to ourselves.

Cheri said...

Wonderful post, Sandie, really hits the mark.

Anonymous said...

Lovely post today Sandie! We should always be kind to ourselves as well to others. And be Grateful for what we have ;) Have a lovely Day my friend!

Eva

Sweet Tea said...

I think, "You are wise"!
Gratitude is such a lovely thing.

Heather said...

Hi, my name is Heather! Please email me when you can, I have a question about your blog!

HeatherVonSJ[at]gmail[dot]com

Tanna said...

You said it, bitter or better!! I'm chosing better!! blessings ~ Tanna

Lois Christensen said...

I am finally learning to enjoy this life that the Lord has given me and not rush it along as I've been doing! Only wish I had learned this earlier in life. This is a beautiful post! Thank you for sharing!

Belle said...

I remember saying to my daughter once, "I've decided to be a bitter person!" And then we laughed and laughed. I thought about it and decided I didn't like bitter people, so I better not become one. I'm enjoying my older years in spite of some annoyances. It is a peaceful time for me and like you I no longer care what anyone thinks.

Whosyergurl said...

Sandie, Love this post! I, too, am kinder to myself AND more forgiving to others. I know I am not perfect! I like myself better, too!
xo, Cheryl

Angela said...

Fabulous thoughts Sandie! I don't mind getting old but I'd rather be 21 again in body and health! lol

Hugs,
Angela

Ginny Hartzler said...

I do like that last quote! And did you know that most of what we spend so much energy worrying about never even happens? I was so shy and self conscious when young, I thought everyone was looking and talking about me, afraid to even speak. With age comes the knowledge that life is not about ME, it is only about others.

Ann said...

Love that chinese proverb.
I don't worry, fuss or fret over things the way i used to. It's just a shame that it took me so long to get to that point.

Tablescapes By Diane said...

Hi lovely lady.
Chatty this is a great post. Getting old is part of Lift with all the aches and pains we all have some times. But I appreciate ever moment with my Hubby and family as my time go's by!!!.I would like to thank you so much for your sweet comments on my Tablescape. I hope you and your lovely family have a wonderful week.
XXOO Diane

Susan said...

Loved this post, Sandie. Sooooo true, for me, too.

We DO criticize ourselves mercilessly but as we get older, less so.

Today, for example, it was storming out---icy rain and miserable driving conditions.

I was SO HAPPY to be blessedly home, warm, safe, secure, and making cookies for my nephew who is going back to his college campus soon. Filled to the brim with gratitude, I enjoyed almost every second of the day.

Take care, dear Sandie. You are a gem. Susan

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Sandie, Great post... Love that Chinese proverb... SO TRUE....

I've learned to be myself --especially as I've gotten older.. I spent way too many years trying to be everything to everybody.... I never thought about myself.. NOW---I am ME and proud of it!!!!
Hugs,
Betsy

Just Stuff From a Boomer said...

When I read this post I thoroughly believed it. I am so glad to just be here when I too know others that are not. Sometimes I forget to count that as the biggest blessing.

I think we women are much harder on ourselves than our male counterparts.

Anonymous said...

Amen Preach it sista'....I have been labeled "extreme Jesus Freak" ...I have been rejected b/c of my intense desire to be obedient to the truths the Lord reveals to me for "my" walk .. not yours or theirs :MINE: let me run to the ocean in mid winter and jump in without your scorn, let me run through the isles of the grocery store with great jubilee b/c I am blessed with employment, paycheck and a place I can go to buy me food ....do not judge me by the badgerskin covering I have look within and see the Treasures of True Life in Christ....Okay you got this ONE GURLLL going this morning with your post...Free to be you Free to be me ...isn't that the way it should be??? Thanks my friend....I think I will wear one blue shoe and one red shoe with green tights today... LOL

Debbie said...

Beautiful! Beautiful! Beautiful! I just love every word that you wrote here.

Anonymous said...

On a message board I was apart of, there was a long running thread called Sharing the Joy, and every single day, people would do just that. It is quite beautiful, I'll have to ask the woman who started it exactly how long ago she started it. I think the first I saw it was in 2004-and it was older than that.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

You said it all Sandie- gratitude for what I have, great post!

Sharon said...

This was inspirational.

The Chinese proverb was good, too. I've just got to stop my worrying little soul from expecting those birds of sorrow to poop on me...

(I'm a tad creeped out by the "wench" on the chair at the end)...just sayin'.