Winter Years

Waxing philosophical today so if you don't want to hear about the winter years you can skip this post. I am very close to what is referred to in Asian culture as the "winter years." Those years that are at and exceed the sixty year marker. I turn fifty-nine shortly with sixty just around the corner.

The winter years are different for me and I suspect just about the same for everyone else - mostly. It is really weird too. Often I don't even realize that I am at this age in life. I get a reminder every morning when I look in the mirror and sometimes get reminded when I look at other people on the BART train to and from work that I am also much older than most on the train.

I often forget until my body reminds me that I am close to my winter years but often still move forward as if I were still in my spring years. I don't mean that I am forcing myself to try and remain at the same levels of fitness and ability that I did then but I don't stop myself from doing things just because I am reaching toward the winter years. I just do things a bit differently and when reminded by circumstances tend to just adjust so I don't abuse my body and mind unnecessarily. I make adjustments, age adjustments.

I do think differently now. I suspect this is how nature intended as I understand from my life that those in winter years tend to have a bit more experience and their philosophy of life is one that can sometimes enlighten those much younger - if they listen. Even when they don't I suspect that the mind stores the information for later use and that is why we sometimes get the "oh shit, that is what that meant" thoughts as we move from spring to summer years and even if the fall years.

I can say for me that entering into the winter years is kind of exciting even tho it means making some changes that seem disturbing on some level. I sometimes feel that due to my age I have actually learned a few things that I sometimes wish I had recognized in those earlier years. When I feel this I do have the wisdom to tell myself that this is life and I am lucky to have these thoughts now because they were not meant to be there then vs. now.

Is this actually deep thoughts? I think not. It seems now that it is merely a matter of finally listening to reason - maybe. In my younger years I fell into that trap that I thought I knew everything. I realize that I closed my mind and allowed my rightous perceptions to lead my monkey brain where it wanted to go at the time. I chalk this up to gaining experience. I just thank the powers that are I was able to change and open my mind somewhat - knowing that it can still open more.

If you actually have the honor of reaching the winter years it can be hoped that they will open the doorway, the gate, toward an open-mind and to finally know that you don't know all things great and small but do want to listen and learn about all things great and small.

Just waxing philosophical about my coming life in the winter years.