Another New Year?
Here we go again …
If I’ve learned anything this year, it’s that time seems to be moving faster than ever before. I know it isn’t really, but it sure seems like it is.
When we were still part of the work force, like most people, we could hardly wait for Fridays —as though life began on Fridays.
Since Robert and I retired, every day IS like a Friday. This made me laugh … if that were true, then every week we’d be losing six days. You mount up enough of those six-day blocks of time and … “poof”… another year is gone, mid-blink, and we have to add another year to our age.
I know, I know … that’s silly. But 2026 is coming full tilt and it feels like it came faster than years before. Speaking of time and advancing age, I’m going to address a question someone asked sometime ago.
Does Age Affect How we See Life?
In a round about way, it does. There are different stages and I’ve seen each stage through different eyes and a heart that felt differently, too.
When you’re a child, you enjoy every day that comes, just as it is. You don’t worry if there will be another day after the one you woke up to. You just assume life will go on and on and you’ll have an endless supply for even more adventures.
Young adults care about life, too. They just don’t have a lot of spare time to stop and think about it. At that age, most are busy raising families, working, setting money aside for the children’s education, and planning ahead for retirement.
At that age, they do appreciate every day they’re given, but busy young adults, still take for granted that more days will follow.
The stage where age figures most into what we care about life is after 65. There’s a whole new appreciation for the days we get to wake up to. At the senior stage, there’s simply more free time to wonder how many more days we’ll get.
We’re well aware that friends and family are passing and it puts a special spin on every day we’re given. Each one becomes precious, because now we’re also aware our finish line may be hiding just inside the next New Year.
The finish line may have always been there, but now we have time to stop taking the days for granted and start thinking about who or what doles the days out to us? Do we have a specific purpose for being here? Do we need to contact some ‘being in charge’?
It’s been said, the Universe doesn’t judge us for choices we made through these life stages. However, we’re learning we’ll never be able to explore the meaning of life, until we’ve faced the reality of death. Death brings the question of life into immediate attention.
At this stage, most of us start to look deeper within for answers. We may also question those who seem content with Enlightenment and ‘Awareness’. They have an eagerness to learn about the Universe, Consciousness, Feelings, and meditation to find the Silence.
But back to the original question: Does Age Affect How we See Life?
Absolutely.
As for me, I am aware we have an expiration date, so I’ve made a pact with the Powers That Be. I’ll be glad to write and share what I’ve learned, but I can’t live in the past or with an all-consuming hope for more days.
I’m content living in the Present, because in my heart, I’ve learned love is the only thing that remains forever.
Love never dies ...
You are such a wise soul, C.J.. Your writing reflects your experience, with heart. Another brilliant piece, and I can relate to it. By the way, as a 74-year-old retiree, every week, for me, consists of 6 Saturdays, and a Sunday! 😘
You nailed this to a tee. You’re 100% correct of each stage, although I’m not quite on absolute Fridays yet.
But one thing you mentioned about young adults that hit me like a rock. The phrase “taking for granted there will be more days ahead”. What hit me is how many times are we reading about car wrecks or drug overdoses claiming teenagers or those in their early to mid 20s. Those are the ones often being reckless and not thinking about or even caring about future days. They’re not around long enough to realize. And that is a real shame. It’s a reality of life.