"We turn not older with years, but newer every day."
-- Emily Dickinson
Yesterday I celebrated my 45th birthday and became one of the younger runners again. I’m now in another competitive age bracket and have the advantage of “youth” among my new peers. Furthermore, I've decided to release myself from an earlier battle with aging; I'm now willing to sign that treaty with time.
Sure my body’s losing its firmness, but my mind’s gaining its wit. I may no longer turn heads, but I now can command a room. And I’ve been blessed to make money doing something I enjoy, yet I haven’t forgotten the value of a dollar or the clarity that can follow a sleepless night.
Last month I read this wonderful passage on turning 45 on Joan Nesbit Mabe’s blog. I think it’s partially responsible for my newfound optimism, and I didn’t have to set a world record to reach the same conclusions. My record says a world about me: a lasting marriage; a grown, fairly functional family; a decent career despite being a military wife; strong friendships from every one of my life’s stops; and a host of experiences that, at the very least, provide plenty of blog fodder.
I used to want to be a really fast runner. I used to want to be thin and pretty. And I really wanted to produce Oscar-winning documentaries and a Pulitzer Prize-winning book. I am finally at peace with who I am and, more importantly, who I am not. There is no better gift I could have given myself.
37 comments:
Wow, that is beautifully felt and expressed, Anne. You certainly command this cyber-room with eloquence and grace. Happy birthday!
You'll still be turning heads... "Who was that fast woman who just ran by?" Welcome to my age group!
It is a good feeling to be at peace with who you are.
Those are some wonderful, wise thoughts, Anne.
Happy birthday!
happy happy birthday!
so what does a wise woman like you have to say to those not yet even 30?
Enjoy what you have, Miss Petite, before it's gone forever. (And I smell a job offer for you soon...keep at it.)
Can I turn 45 with you?
Happy Birthday Anne!
I like your optimism. I will try to carry it through my day.
Happy Birthday!
Beautiful post. Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday! Why wasn't I invited to the party?
Congrats Anne. I'm in the exact same boat. I turn 35 this summer and can't wait. I'm tired of getting crushed by all the young'uns, especially in the races where they have the ridiculous under-35 open category. That's fun. Happy birthday.
brilliant and beautifully written.
Happy Birthday!
Congratulations, old girl, and enjoy! 45 sounds real good to me who's WAY on the other side of that line. Hope you had a happy day!
Great insights on who you are - and I love the quote. Happy Birthday!
I love the quote! Happy Birthday! The moment will arrive when you are comfortable with who you are, and what you are--bald or old or fat or poor, successful or struggling--when you don't feel the need to apologize for anything or to deny anything. To be comfortable in your own skin is the beginning of strength.
Charles Handy
Here's mine for the year.
Happy Birthday, Anne! I hope you enjoyed your day.
Good, that means you are no longer in my "league"...I was tired of getting smoked by a "senior" :-) By the way Happy Birthday...this means the March lunch in on me! I am thinking maybe Thai or Japanese...then again you pick, it is you birthday month :-)
Wow you are healthy. I mean mentally. I am not that far behind you in years, but I'm far behind in wisdom.
I am getting there on making peace with Father Time. Reading this is a good nudge in that direction:-)
Happy Birthday.
Anne,
Happy Birthday. You are certainly wise, for one so young!
For a great post on turning 50, slip on over to Craig's blog - you can find him under "running is mental" on my sidebar.
Happy Birthday ... and don't be too sure that you aren't still turning heads. You just might not see them because you're running by them too fast.
Some things only come with age. You are a very wise women to reach the conclusion that you need to be at peace with who you are so early in your life. It took me 5 more years to figure it out. Thanks for the fantastic post.
Happy Birthday, Anne! I bet you're still turning plenty of heads.
Happy BELATED Birthday
thus far the 40's have been my best years...i'm turning 44 in june.
i know your still turning heads!
This is spectacular, Anne. If it's OK with you I'd like to copy it to my "Inspiration" file?
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Happy happy birthday, hun! Sounds like you are truly embracing life!
A very happy birthday to you. I think you still can turn heads just by your personality.
Great family and friends, what else matter more in life than that.
Happy Birthday! Sounds like this will be a good year!
You are awesome Anne!! I loved your post as I too feel like I am fighting the aging process. It's very tiring! I really need to be at peace with myself too. Thanks for the insight. And Happy Birthday!
I was just thinking when I saw you the other night at track practice how naturally pretty you are.
If 50 is the new 30, then 45 is the new 25. You still have it! :)
Happy birthday!
I'm 45 too...ain't life grand!?? I like the part about coming to terms with 'who you're not'. That is on the mark! Good stuff.
I love this post!!! There are so many ways to look at the aging process and I love your perspective. Good luck in your new racing category!!!
I'm late - but HAPPY BIRTHDAY! and yay on the 10k that you did. (and that quote is one of my favorites)
Happy Belated Birthday, Anne! You rock! I still have dreams of the Pulitzer Prize and Oscar too!
Life begins at 45! Happy birthday! (and then again at 50! I love 50!)
Happy Birthday and congrats on finding peace.
I've been struggling with that one lately. At 45 too, I'm wondering how I got here and can I keep this up for 45 more? Maybe its a gender thing.
Belated birthday greetings Anne! You know, as a group, I think all of us runners are really young at heart.
oh that is so great to hear - i'm not hearing it often enough - being peaceful with oneself - yes it is the best gift you can give yourself. falling in love with your own mind and doing whats really important !!!! Congrats!!!!!!!!!!
Happy (very) Belated Birthday!! I hope it was a wonderful day!!
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