As
I’m approaching my 75th birthday next year, I’m amazed by how much
there still is to learn about me. You
think after living with myself all these years, I’d have become perfect, but
I’m not. I still make mistakes, hurt others’ feelings, forget too easily
lessons learned years ago. Guess I’m not ready for graduation yet. For those who don’t believe in a next life, it
must be fun to just live it up and do whatever you feel like without fear of
consequences in the future. I’ve always believed there is a purpose to this
time on earth: to become a better person. Not a perfect individual, but
constantly learning from mistakes made and trying to improve.
The
scariest part about aging is not knowing how much time is left. You could die
tomorrow from a car accident or stroke or heart attack or be faced with
struggling for years with cancer or some other fatal disease. I see this as the
final test before moving into another
existence called by some heaven.
I don’t believe in reincarnation. I would hate to think of returning to life as
a mosquito or cow or other creature. I value my family and believe they are the
reason I’m here, to learn from them, nurture and love them. In this day of the
mutation of the family and its values in a society hell bent on satisfying the
individual only, my beliefs give me security and stability.
Whatever
season of life you are in, there are lessons to be learned. Hopefully you keep
a journal to record, evaluate and share this education called life. If you haven’t started writing, accepted my
challenge to start your life story. Time is running out for all of us. Next
month will be my last column and the beginning of a new phase of my life
focused more on family and less on trying to save the world or you my reader who I have encouraged, guilt loaded
and urged unceasingly for five plus years to write your life story and find
your voice then help others discover their voice including your extended family
members, friends and loved ones. Each person is unique and has something
special to contribute to this life IF they can find their voice and the self
confidence to use their time here on earth by developing and sharing their
talents. NEXT TIME: Final Goodbye (to my Senior Sampler Columns)