Why grow old - it's cool

In his blog on the Medium Amy Selwyn (Amy Selwyn), who recently turned 57 years old, I told why it is very pleased with the upcoming retirement. Even last year, she upset the next birthday, but now it inspires what she gets older. Besides there are 57 reasons. Sure, after reading the revelations Amy you will no longer be afraid of old age. Aging cool!

January 17th I celebrated her 57th birthday. And you know what? I am delighted! I like getting older. But it was not always so. I will be frank: this feeling had never been up to this point. Until recently, I was afraid to damn old.

I was worried that I was missing something in my life that I had something did not happen, but something will not happen again. I worried because of what could happen, but it did not happen... Down, down, down the rabbit hole, to anxiety and tearfulness.

But I feel this year itself like this: Wow, I am 57! A large number! And it gets better every year! Wow!

In honor of the big day, I wrote down 57 things that I now know are true. If I'm lucky and I will note 58th birthday next year, it will add one more observation in the list. I will expand the list every year and try to ensure that it was very, very long.

Here is a list of this year:

1. Getting older - it is a gift.
2. I do not need Botox.
3. Weight loss - not the purpose of my life.
4. Infatuation - it is not love. And it rarely turns into it.
5. From daffodils out bad friends and boyfriends disgusting.
6. Long hair is always age-appropriate. Cropped tops? Not by that much.
7. High heels - it hurts. I zadolbalas.
8. Art gives me more pleasure than new clothes.
9. My life is much happier when the dog with me.
10. Sugar - a poison, aspartame causes cancer. I refused, and on, and on the other.
11. We outgrow some friendships.
12. Gray hair - it's cool. For some…
13. No one plans to live alone, but this has its advantages. To begin with - you can always switch the channel on your TV.
14. I prefer real books electronically.
15. Books and music - required line in the budget.
16. Lying is bad. Anyway.
17. We need a guilty pleasure.
18. If a man does not use dental floss, we will not be together.
19. Winter in New England is overrated.
20. I hope never to be in the mall, especially with the food court.
21. I too love animals to eat them.
22. Art - the meaning of my existence.
23. Be positive - the right way of life.
24. Alcoholics are not funny (though they think so).
25. When a job comes the real Amy, everything goes much better.
26. Go to bed early - great.
27. Technology - it's amazing. And they are not only for young people.
28. Relationship in a pair are rarely equal. But the ratio of 20/80 is inadmissible.
29. "Move forward!" - good advice.
30. Smile, it's so sexy.
31. Buy items rarely - almost never gets rid of internal voids.
32. It is vitally important to say thank you.
33. I will never vote for a Republican, and it makes no sense to write about it to Facebook.
34. I can enjoy a meal not photographed it in advance.
35. I would like to be friends with Patti Smith (Patti Smith) and Cheryl Strayed (Cheryl Strayed).
36. What is right for me, it may be wrong for others. That's cool.
37. Birthday cake - only once a year.
38. In my generation were the best musicians. And I will not back down from his opinion.
39. Question: "What's your story?" - much more interesting question: "What are you doing?"
40. The measure of success is the fullness of the person and not his income.
41. Cheapness repellent.
42. Life - this is not a dress rehearsal. Everyone knows it. Now I know.
43. Enjoy every moment of life, it is short.
44. Disappointed hurt. Expect that people will change - even more painful.
45. Every man for someone close. Show respect.
46. Correct to say "no" than to say "maybe", meaning "no."
47. Respect personal boundaries of others. Hear when a person says "no".
48. Do not hide your true nature.
49. Help anonymously.
50. "Do what you are afraid," - not the wisest advice.
51. My instincts are not wrong. My job - to listen and obey.
52. Confidence inspiring. Arrogance offends. The difference is enormous.
53. Sarcasm - defense mechanism.
54. The increasing complexity of things - not a sign of intellectual superiority.
55. Smart can be different.
56. It turns out that all that we need - this is love. Thank you, The Beatles.
57. If you have a birthday, then you are living on this beautiful planet! Celebrate!

I bet I could add another 20-30 observations, but I decided to record the first 57 points that come to mind. I have long been in the zoo, but, hand on heart, now I really feel comfortable in my own skin than ever. Because I want so little. This is the inverse function: minimize to maximize.

Many people I know speak directly and boldly, they fear the passage of time. I understand them. Maybe they are afraid if they can fit it all: experience, relationships, travel, books, concerts, walks, coffee, beer - in the remaining time? I do not know. Nobody, not even hopelessly sick person does not know how much time he left. We do not know when it will end. Uh-oh, it sounds whiny. So we are moving forward ...

Given the vagaries of death, it may be wise to let go of expectations as far as possible? Just say: here I am now. There are things that I hope to see and do, of course. But here now I have something to appreciate. Something big and delicious, or a small and pleasant. Or just curious. Or just good. Something good - that's good. True. In fact, that's enough.

And I have enough. I am alive. And it's my birthday. I zaduyu candles and eat cake. That's the plan. And he is excellent. Getting older is not terrible!