How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?
Age is a number that we place great emphasis on. Children celebrate their birthdays every year with parties and fun.
Why?
What is so mysterious or magical about a number? We do not live by years but our lives are made up of days. Surely every day you wake up is another birthday?
Consider the word is made up of day “ birthday” not “birthyear”.
I was never impressed by birthdays as I was born on the last day of the year.
It was just after Christmas and there usually was no money for presents. I was often asked if I wanted a Christmas present or a birthday present and many a time it was combined.
The other downside of that day was people were thinking about old year’s eve and the celebrations of the New Year.
That is another very odd thing about society, in my mind, celebrating a year gone by and a New Year to come in. Nothing really changed except a number. Or am I missing the point?
In all, birthdays did not make much sense to me nor did they appeal to me.
Birthdays are set to remind you of how old you are.
Children do their very best to remind you that they are not just four, but four and a half to be exact.
Women on the other hand do their best to keep their age a secret or look as young as possible.
Teenagers try to look older so they can get into restricted areas like bars and clubs where age is of utmost importance.
Please tell me how it is that an 18-year-old is suddenly at the magical age where they are now responsible? What happened overnight from 17 to 18?
How did this person suddenly gain knowledge, wisdom and judgement?
Once again, the magical number denoting age.
What about 21?
Why do we place such significance on that number?
The west considers 21 to be the day you become an adult, can legally get into ˜adult venues and are now considered to be independent.
Once again it’s a number and very few of us became wise because we grew older.
Most of us have had to learn life’s lessons the hard way.
Experience has taught us many things but knowledge is not wisdom.
I’ve seen many adults who defy the odds in stupidity and yet many youngsters that are wise beyond their years.
There are plenty of old attitudes in young bodies whereas the converse is also true.
The above thoughts give you an idea of how much emphasis we place on age.
If you didn’t measure your life in years but rather days, how old would you be? Would you still have a young, fresh, clean outlook on life? That life is an adventure, to be savoured and enjoyed?
Would you still pack so much into one day that it almost bursts at the seams?
Or would your thoughts be of getting the day over so you can get home to rest your aching body?
Perhaps have something to calm your nerves and wish for the holidays?
Are your days filled with worry and trepidation about the future?
You say you have to be responsible now that you are an adult.
True but why did all the excitement and fun fade out when that happened?
Have you become older than your years? Is there a way to rectify this?
I think so.
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- Place emphasis on enjoying the simple things in life.
- Take a mental break. Sweat out the old beliefs and change your attitude.
- Look after your body – it’s the only one you’ve got.
- Count your blessings – you’ll be amazed at how much good there is in your life.
- Make every day a birthday and celebrate life.
Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.
Samuel Ullman
I attribute this post heading to a blog that I read that was too good to leave as a question.
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Updated: May2022