As I splay out in the reading room this morning glaring out at the latest snowfall, I’m feeling aged. Yes, I have aches and pains. I have dyspepsia at times. I have moments where I want to sit and do nothing. I have sore hands, especially after the kayak trip. I walk into a room, stand, look around and try to remember what the hell I went in there for. My feet hurt. My legs ache after I stand for hours at a time and walk for miles. My right knee really hurts, Yet, I get up and go. I go to the gym more often. I try to eat better. I will never stop adventuring. I buy new shoes and hike more. When I walk into a room, I concentrate and remember. Growing old and feeling aged is inevitable. Allowing the process to curtail what we do, is not. Well, to some degree, maybe. I’m certainly not going to romp on the kids in a pick-up basketball game. More likely, I’ll be happy to get a shot off, but I’d still play. I can’t throw a 95 mph slider anymore but I can play catch. And there are a few things I do more of than when younger: I bike for miles, kayak amazing waters, and snowshoe everywhere. Life is a challenge for all, but there are ways to absorb the shocks and maintain the spirit of youth. First, accept the age thing. It happens. get over it. Never stop moving. If you have to rest more often, so be it, rest, then get up and move. Eat real food. That sounds odd, right? But I mean “real” food. If it’s packaged, prepared, and has a list of ingredients longer than your arm, I suspect the food has been altered. Maybe even changed. Stay engaged. I am certainly one of those misanthrope’s who tends to cower and isolate, but I know that’s not good, so I force interactions and I try to say hello from across the street. I make sure I’m a part of my community to bask in the collective energy. Speaking of energy, I stay away from bad ju-ju. As soon as I recognize the aura, I try to extricate myself. That’s new for me. Seems in the past, I’d dive right in and think in my narcissistic head I could make all better. HA! Now I run for the hills and avoid that person or situation forever. This diatribe entered my fore-brain today as I suffered through pain yesterday feeling aged. Christine and I had dinner and a delightful evening with some dear friends, we shared great food and drink, I got a good night sleep, and here I am. I’m a day older but safe and secure and warm and loved while listening to R. Carlos Nakai, sipping coffee from the French press, and talking to you. The snow is falling but the air is quiet. I think I’ll take a walk.