I broke my friend’s cat (she’s 9 which is like 55 in human years) that I’m cat-sitting for 5 months while my friend is in Thailand. By broke, I mean the cat (her name is McKenzie, I call her Fred) was trained to use a cat box that she had to climb into. Well, we decided that was stupid so she is using 2 big litter boxes I had. And she only ate prescription dry cat food until she discovered rotisserie chicken … now that is the only thing she will eat. And before I leave for work every day I put 90 minutes of bird videos on the big screen TV. (It’s a good thing I don’t have kids - they’d be 400 pounds by age 3 and addicted to Netflix … and probably be in diapers long after it’s acceptable.) Fred is living her best life; by my definition.
I turned 55 on Monday. My friend wished me a happy 56th birthday. I wanted to lie down and cry. Dr. Li told me 55 is the new 30 - I told him that was a lie perpetuated by Oprah to rationalize her age. Aging blows. I am trying to be good; working out like crazy, watching my diet (not doing anything about it, but I am aware of what I am eating) and attempting to sleep a lot. The prevailing thought with all my friends of the same age is to embrace it - but I’m going against that advice. I’m going to ignore the pain in my joints, really try and remember stuff, challenge my aging body to try new things … *
Age is just a number. Like my broken cat - I’m trying to live my best life. This next year I’m going for it. Pushing the proverbial envelope. Running hard and dancing like no-one is watching. Singing loud all the time. Tattoos, bowties, jay walking -- woo hoo!!! My life will be like a circus.
Because of my new outlook I’m strongly encouraging you to join me in this year of all around your best life wellness. Physical, mental, emotional … the whole kielbasa. You, though, do you. (as in - you don’t have to jaywalk and wear bowties - do things that make you happy! Whatever, whenever and however.)
*A guy goes into the doctor and says nervously “I’m 70 now - I want to live to 80. Am I doing the right things?” Doc says “Tell me about your habits - do you drink? Eat healthy? Have any vices?” The guy says “No, I’m a vegan, I don’t drink or smoke or have any bad habits. I don’t participate in any potentially dangerous activities, and I try and avoid all situations with crowds where I might pick up a germ.” The doc says “You’ll probably live to 80 but why would you want to?”