I just got an Email from one of our group that deserves some consideration from all the rest of us. Here’s the email, and my reply:
Hey Mr.summers hope I’m not interrupting your vocation. Anyways you seem like a wise fella, i recently went out to a birthday hangout and it hit me how scared I’m of ageing. Its not about looking old but mainly about the physical restraint that will be put on my body (not being able to run wild and do the things i can now). I would like to hear your thoughts please and thank you.
P.S I’m only 21 years old.
Hi – , thank you for your confidence in whatever judgment I may have. That’s very special. I think the best thing I can tell you is that I’ve caught hell for doing everything wonderful that I’ve done in my life…but it has been worth it. I’d say, keep yourself in good physical shape, treat other people with consideration, and…have a blast. Be yourself, Travis. Everybody else is taken.
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Please jump in here, and tell me how you’d answer this question. Just go to the “comments” section below, or email me at dick@dicksummer.com.
Thanks.
Well at your age you need to stop worrying about age,it will find you no matter where you hide.So go on with the good times and remember age is a number you don’t have to live up to but respect where it got you.
If someone says grow up say thanks but I will not be dud like yourself.
At 65 i haven’t grown up but I love the age I’m at have fun LIVE LOVE and LAUGH.
Dear Travis:
I’m 66 years young, and one of my favorite sayings is: “Age is mind over matter; if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter!!!) I can tell you that your body issues (or “restrictions”, as you call them), are way off in your future. I agree with Dick Butler and Dick Summer. That is, keep yourself in good physical condition, but have a blast!!! Enjoy your youth while you can, and just go for the gusto!!! Besides — being “scared” of what may come in the future is a waste of valuable time, not to mention effort. Worrying about things beyond your control is totally non-productive. The worst thing that could happen would be that you reach “seniorhood” with regrets for things you didn’t get to do.
Enjoy life!!!!! It can be a wild, crazy, and wonderful ride – life is what you make it.
Travis I don’t have anything to add but I think it’s good that you are aware that you don’t have forever in the body you have now. And it’s not just age that can steal it from you. A lot of folks your age don’t give this any thought — they think it’s way too far in the future. Awareness is good, worry is not. Live your best life now.
My advice is to not worry about what may be, but look forward to what can be. I do agree that you need to be cognizant of what you eat, keep moving every day — walking, running, skating, dancing, climbing trees!!! When you stop moving, you slow down — and slowing down isn’t fun!!
I’m 61 and I haven’t grown up. I don’t intend to. I am mature when I have to be —- serious ONLY when necessary. I am responsible, conscientious, considerate — and honest. Enjoy EVERY day! Don’t rush into relationships or feel that you just *can’t* live alone…… that’ll come around when it should. Do things now that you won’t regret not doing when you get to be over 60…. and respect Mother Earth…….
When I was 21, I worried too much about my future. Now it’s here and I regret that I worried so much I couldn’t enjoy my youth. Good luck.