Reflections on my 99th birthday! What a miracle it would be to live to at least 99 years old.
Well, I have a long way to go to get to my 99th. But that’s less than three decades from where I am now. It’s about as far away as when I was 41. But I thought I’d jump ahead and see what’s going on by then.
What’s It Like?
When Florence Morris was asked what it was like being 108 years old, she answered:
”It feels the same as it does when I was 100.”
and
”What do you expect about being 108? You don’t expect everything to last forever.”
The newspaper reports: “Fiercely independent, Morris lived alone until the age of 105.” That is the kind of life worth living!
My Expectations
— Retain a Sense of Humor
— Have No Financial Worries
— Stay in Good Health
Killers to Avoid
– Regret
– Worry
– Fear
At 99, it hardly needs to be said that I would have outlived many people I used to know, friends, relatives. I could wallow in self-pity if I choose. But I don’t. Partially because I outlived a lot of bad people too. But the main reason is that I have learned that I am as part of the universe as everyone and everything. There is no separation between me and the every human, every animal, every mountain, every river and every sea. And even after I am gone, I will be as much a part of everything as I am when I am here.
A video I saw a few years ago about Life Lessons From 100-Year-Olds prepared me. Their consistent advice is to live without regrets.
So, say what there is to say. I wouldn’t want to live with the regret of “I wish I had told her how I felt.”
Another life killer is worry. Worrying kills the mind, poisons the heart. Mark Twain said it best: “I’ve had a lot of worries in my life, most of which never happened.”
Fear. There was a time I was consumed by fear. Fear determined everything about my life, what I felt, what I did, what I did not do.
When I was in school, I read the book Dune by Frank Herbert. In it, he addresses fear. And I used the following quote from that book to help me stand up to fear:
Living without fear is a fine experience!
These Days
The main concern I have these days is I have slowed down. My mobility is reduced. I suppose that’s to be expected at 99.
I was never a skier, so I can’t complain about not skiing. I ran when I was in my twenties, but stopped after a foot injury. I love yoga, and still do. But also I need to keep moving. Anyone up for a good walk?
What are your expectations for your upcoming 99th birthday? Let me know here.
The Map of the Word, “Carte generale du monde, ou Description du monde terrestre & aquatique = Generale waereld kaart, of Beschryving van de land en water aereld” was made by Pierre Mortier and J. van Luchtenberg. It was published in Amsterdam in 1700. Interestingly, it shows California as an island. Courtesy Michigan State University.
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