I love evolving. Usually.
And by evolving, I mean growing older with purpose and flexibility. As it turns out getting "older" can be good. It can be. It is.
For one thing, I've learned I'm not afraid of resolutions, revolutions or evolution. I'm good at keeping commitments. I cherish the meaning and purpose of both internal and external revolts, and I'm learning how to grease the rusty wheels of personal growth and change.
My resolutions for 2013 consist of two specific, formal commitments and one general, informal commitment.
The formal resolutions:
#1 - Strengthen my core. I have a wonderful set of exercises imparted by a physical therapist last year after I strained my fifty-year-old back. I'm implementing these exercises again, because, hey, it's a new year! The best part is that each morning I begin exercising even before I get out of bed. Boo-yah! And thank you, Tempur-Pedic.
#2 - Hang up my clothes every night. Thank you, Segullah.
The informal: Surrender to the ongoing evolution of my own sweet Self.
Some weeks back I was visiting with the social worker at the dialysis clinic where I work. His name is Ken and he is seventy-six-years old. Ken is a slender, six-foot-four-inch tall, gentleman farmer-type with a full head of silver hair. He's been married to the same woman for forty-some years, has four adult children and who-knows-how-many grands and great-grandkids. He lost one son at birth and a daughter in her teens. So, he is father of six, and, of course, always includes his two in heaven when he numbers his children. In spring and summer he and his wife grow and harvest vast quantities of fruit and vegetables, many of which he bottles (his pepper jelly is to die for.) He talks about helping his son repair fences on a piece of land out in West Mountain, travels around the state to visit his kids and their families and spends hours and hours assisting good folks who are dependent on dialysis to live. He came out of retirement to take a part time position with our clinic after enjoying a full and rewarding career in private practice and other LCSW settings.
So, anyway, one day not long ago I was talking with him about how I had my fiftieth birthday last year. I said, "You know, Ken, now I'm on the way down." To which he immediately replied, "Oh, no you're not. You're on your way UP!" As he said this, he gazed heavenward and moved his arm in a sweeping motion as if his hand were a jet plane taking off from a runway.
The implications were both hilarious and profound. What I heard in those few moments and in the brief conversation that followed was my current favorite gem of wisdom. It has already begun to carry me into the New Year and a new evolutionary phase. What Ken was trying to tell me and what I was delighted to hear was this:
"You've just reached base camp, my dear. The ascent to the summit is far more exciting."
And by evolving, I mean growing older with purpose and flexibility. As it turns out getting "older" can be good. It can be. It is.
For one thing, I've learned I'm not afraid of resolutions, revolutions or evolution. I'm good at keeping commitments. I cherish the meaning and purpose of both internal and external revolts, and I'm learning how to grease the rusty wheels of personal growth and change.
My resolutions for 2013 consist of two specific, formal commitments and one general, informal commitment.
The formal resolutions:
#1 - Strengthen my core. I have a wonderful set of exercises imparted by a physical therapist last year after I strained my fifty-year-old back. I'm implementing these exercises again, because, hey, it's a new year! The best part is that each morning I begin exercising even before I get out of bed. Boo-yah! And thank you, Tempur-Pedic.
#2 - Hang up my clothes every night. Thank you, Segullah.
The informal: Surrender to the ongoing evolution of my own sweet Self.
Some weeks back I was visiting with the social worker at the dialysis clinic where I work. His name is Ken and he is seventy-six-years old. Ken is a slender, six-foot-four-inch tall, gentleman farmer-type with a full head of silver hair. He's been married to the same woman for forty-some years, has four adult children and who-knows-how-many grands and great-grandkids. He lost one son at birth and a daughter in her teens. So, he is father of six, and, of course, always includes his two in heaven when he numbers his children. In spring and summer he and his wife grow and harvest vast quantities of fruit and vegetables, many of which he bottles (his pepper jelly is to die for.) He talks about helping his son repair fences on a piece of land out in West Mountain, travels around the state to visit his kids and their families and spends hours and hours assisting good folks who are dependent on dialysis to live. He came out of retirement to take a part time position with our clinic after enjoying a full and rewarding career in private practice and other LCSW settings.
So, anyway, one day not long ago I was talking with him about how I had my fiftieth birthday last year. I said, "You know, Ken, now I'm on the way down." To which he immediately replied, "Oh, no you're not. You're on your way UP!" As he said this, he gazed heavenward and moved his arm in a sweeping motion as if his hand were a jet plane taking off from a runway.
The implications were both hilarious and profound. What I heard in those few moments and in the brief conversation that followed was my current favorite gem of wisdom. It has already begun to carry me into the New Year and a new evolutionary phase. What Ken was trying to tell me and what I was delighted to hear was this:
"You've just reached base camp, my dear. The ascent to the summit is far more exciting."
1 comment:
So far I am finding base camp to be lovely and I'm looking forward to whatever's next. Thanks for sharing this. And Happy New Year!
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