Skin losing its elasticity and glow, lines growing deeper and more prominent, social gatherings wearing more heavily, desiring more meaning, desiring less novelty, days passing, months fleeting, years going, saying goodbye to your 20’s, saying hello to your 30’s, saying goodbye to your youth, saying hello to adulthood.
Age is the journey not a destination.
As I am getting older, time seems to write its signature on my face, body, and soul more than ever these days. I notice wrinkles that are evidence of years of smiling, laughing, crying, worrying, praying, talking, and living. I notice my body becoming more weary and tired of reckless activities that I would partake in my 20’s that would never phase me like late nights, spontaneous outings, eating certain foods, drinking certain drinks, and being around certain people. I notice my soul longing more meaning and less novelty, less popularity.
As I notice these changes deepening each passing year, I am choosing to embrace the lines on my face, the growth in my preferences, and the call of my spirit.
Instead of denying that time is fleeting, I am choosing to not define myself by my age.
Shauna Niequist said it best in her book, Bittersweet: “Age has always been an arbitrary way to measure a person…age like numbers on a scale or letters on a report card tell us very little of who we are. You decide how old or how young you really want to be.”
I really believe this is true. No matter how old or young you are, you have the power to act the way you desire.
I have seen 60 year old’s with child-like faith, joy, and energy and young adults with sage-like wisdom; every person has the power to operate in a way that goes beyond a subjective number that only identifies how many times you have been around the sun.
No matter what age you are, take the time to stop denying the fleeting of time, and choose to not define your worth by your age.
“It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life…To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life - this is indeed a gift from God. God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past.”