I was recently having lunch with one of my friends who has crossed 70 and is on her way towards 80. I decided to ask her what sort of changes she is feeling in herself. Her answers were as follows:
She began by telling me that after loving her parents, her siblings, her spouse, her children and her friends, she has now started loving herself.
She is now certain that she is not “Atlas” and the world does not rest on her shoulders.
During her weekly visits to the farmers market, she has stopped bargaining with the fruit and vegetable vendors. A few pennies more is not going to break her, she says, but it might help the poor fellow save for his daughter’s school fees.
My friend no longer tells the elderly that they’ve already narrated a story many times. In fact, the story makes them enjoy a walk down memory lane and relive their past. Also, she has leaned not to correct people when they are wrong. It is not her responsibility to make everyone perfect. Peace is more perfect than perfection.
One of the things I’ve always loved about my friend is that she gives compliments freely and generously. She says compliments are a mood enhancer not only for the recipient, but also for her. By the way, a small tip for the recipient of a compliment is to never, NEVER, turn it down, just say “Thank You”.
One of the things she has struggled to learn is to not be embarrassed by her emotions. It’s her emotions that make her human. She learned that it’s better to drop her ego than to break a relationship. Her ego will keep her aloof, whereas with relationships, she will never be alone.
Our waitress received a large tip from my friend. The extra tip might bring a smile to the waitress’s face. Chances are she is toiling much harder for a living than my friend is.
She is doing what makes her happy. She is responsible for her happiness, and she owes it to herself. Happiness is a choice. You can be happy at anytime, just choose to be! She has learned to live each day as if it’s the last because, after all, it might be.
The question is, why do we have to wait to be 60, 70 or 80, why can’t we practice this at any stage and age?
No matter how old one becomes, no matter how many years pass, we have yet more ages and more stages awaiting us.
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