Where did the Time Go?

In a couple of days, I will turn 70 years old.  Where did the time go?  It’s hard to believe I am almost 70, I feel much younger.  People tell me that I don’t look my age, they may just be saying that to be nice, but I’ll take it either way. 

Growing up, I remember some of the things my parents, aunts, and uncles, and others much older than me said about aging.  I think the comment that sticks in my mind the most was something my mom said to me when she was in her 60’s.  Her comment was, “I’ll never just sit down, I’ll keep moving”.   At the time, it did strike me, but I didn’t really understand it.  Now that I am almost 70, I truly get it.     Since I retired, I understand how easy it would be to just sit down, watch TV, and just laze around.   Life can become boring with no motivation and no exercise for your brain.  I’ve learned that it isn’t important just to eat healthy and exercise, but you need to keep your brain challenged. 

Sal asked me if I was thinking of retiring several years before I actually did.  There were a couple of reasons I kept working.  One reason was that I loved my job, so I was in no rush to retire.  The other reason was that I wanted to make sure I had a plan in place to keep busy and engaged with life.  When my dad retired, he played lots of golf for a while, but when he could no longer keep his low handicap, he stopped playing golf.  That was the exact opposite of what he should have been doing.  Really, who cares about the handicap, just enjoy yourself.  After that, my dad slowly declined mentally, and it was heart breaking.

Well it has been 3 years now since I retired.  Instead of my life getting slower, it has gotten busier.  I am a member of our HOA Board, a clerk on a county municipal advisory board, and I volunteer for Golden Gate Labrador Retriever Rescue (GGLRR).   I manage the Instagram posts for GGLRR, and it’s been so much fun.  I found some apps that I use to make the pictures look like posters and/or write different messages on the photos.   It’s been fun.  It has also been so interesting to learn about what goes on behind the scenes.   If there is one thing I have learned, it is how dedicated all the volunteers are and how much they love these dogs, myself included.

Also, on my bucket list is reading lots of books and learning Italian.   I try to study Italian almost every day and generally do.  I am getting to the point that I can read Italian fairly well.  I don’t have anyone to talk to in Italian, but I do watch Detective Montalbano, an Italian police drama, so that helps.  I have a dear friend who lives in Sardinia, Italy and Sal and I hope to visit her and her family sometime in the future.  The funny thing is that we met on a plane from Minneapolis to San Francisco about 10 years back.  I did not speak Italian and she did not speak English, but we managed to communicate and have kept in touch ever since.  When Sal and I were in Rome a few years back, we met with she and her husband.   It was great to see each other in person and we look forward to seeing each other in person again in the future.

The latest book I read is Limitless by Jim Kwik.  This book says it all and the guidance is so right on for any age, but especially us “older folks”.  Jim Kwik calls himself the world’s #1 brain coach and I believe it.  The subtitle of the book states: Upgrade your brain, learn anything faster, and unlock your exceptional life.  What I like about the book is the fact the guidance is so reasonable and logical.  I like the part that says, “unlock your exceptional life”.   As I’ve matured, I’ve learned we should be our best self. 

“There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow men. True nobility lies in being superior to your former self.”

ERNEST HEMINGWAY