Three of us Kindersley-ites have had a running competition for the last number of years. We were all born in 1953. A very good year.
Our competition? See who gets older fastest. Of course the oldest of us has never been overtaken.
This year was our 70th year. Unfortunately one of us didn’t quite make the magic number. Her funeral will be held soon after this article is posted.
So, my mind has been thinking through seven decades of life. What are a few observations I would make?
Don’t settle for only same-age acquaintances. I gain refreshment from youth.. I never want to die a slow death – living without dreams and visions. I don’t want to live an ignorant life – be sure to listen to those older than you. Make your target for friends as big a circle as possible.
Don’t live in an echo chamber. The day I’m not able to listen to others is the day I have fossilized. Even more important, know your echo chamber. Know what truth is. But be ready to have the mistaken slivers of “truth” torn away in order to reveal the steeliness of the truth that is unmovable and secure.
Don’t forget your stage of life. A one year old is not ready to write a comprehensive dictionary. A 20 year old feels and falls for love deeply. A 90 is not going to run a marathon. Spend some time figuring out who you are and what you are able to do well.
Don’t shy away from duty. We often learn the best lessons in life when we do what we don’t really want to do. Live with others in mind – which means sometimes our selfishness needs to be reined in.
Don’t be fearful of the wrong things. I struggled early on in life being told to fear God – you never know when God is going to strike you dead for the stupid things you do. In my old age I promote the fear of God – but more from the idea that when you examine how great God is, nothing is impossible for God. Because God wants to work with me in this life and the next, my fear is open to accepting God’s greatness to give me the best life possible.
Don’t be an atheist. I find there are not many atheists in 90 year-olds. There may be a distrust of God, even a complete abhorrence of all things religious. But realistically, the miracle of life’s daily breath is hard to deny the older you get. Diligently seek out God – my own observation is that God is not silent. I’ve heard God’s voice clearly through Jesus – which has governed my life, career and even my retirement.
Turning 70 happens but once in life. I love it!!!
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