How Do I Know I Am Old? - Autumn's Garden

How I know I am old isn’t just seeing an old lady’s reflection in my mirror. No, when I see myself I look away too quickly for “old” image to register. (My Mind Vs My Mirror)

As a graduate of the Zsa Zsa Gabor School of Creative mathematics, I honestly do not know how old I am. ~Erma Bombeck

But, I know I am old when I hear the advice I give myself.

For example:

Make no sudden moves!
Stand Up straight!
Slow down!

Not that I have ever leapt out of bed ready to take on the day; still, it’s wiser for me to slow my snail’s pace even more. Make No Sudden Moves!

Then, when I get under way, I catch myself listing, and the lower back complains when I try righting myself. Stand Up Straight! (Wait . . . Is that my mother I hear?)

Once the shoulders are back and I am under way, I am ok! That is, until I catch myself listing again. So, telling myself to slow down is a familiar refrain, even though I want to steam full speed ahead!

I listen since I do not want to capsize!

Then, I hear me asking myself questions, especially when I am shopping, and particularly in some conversations:

What do you want?
What do you need?

In some conversations, don’t assume what anybody wants or needs!

Assumptions are the termites of relationships. ~Henry Winkler

Also, I know I am old when, in the middle of a conversation, I hear myself asking me: Are they asking for advice or prayer, when a soul takes me into a confidence?

Sometimes the advice I want to give drowns out details that might make a better petition than pontification. Then, I remember: When I was young(er) often when I asked for advice, I needed prayer. (Giving Advice I Still Need to Hear)

Thank you to the wise women who prayed! Perhaps it was their faithfulness that got me to this day.

For, yet another reason I know I am old is I now heed the little alarm bell that rings, declaring:

You don’t need to comment on that.

I finally believe just because I am invited to an argument doesn’t I have to attend.

Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you’d have preferred to talk. ~Doug Larson

So, somedays, when you think I might have lost my words — you know, I am having a “Senior Moment” — I may just be rethinking something that is not necessary, true or edifying to say! (Even if it might have been funny.)

This Good Day, It Is A gift to you!