Celebrating Sixty-Three Successful Spins Around the Sun 🎉 🌞

Reflections on another birthday. 🎂

It’s my 63rd birthday! Although sixty-three isn’t a big milestone, each successful spin around the sun reminds me to reflect on the gift of another year. As I celebrate sixty-three years on planet Earth, here are the thoughts I’m thinking.

I’m not “old.” I’m just getting older.

I’m currently reading Radiant Rebellion: Reclaim Aging, Practice Joy, and Raise a Little Hell* by Karen Walrond. I’m not much of a hell-raiser (although, who knows? 🤷‍♀️ Maybe I will be after reading this book!). But I do love to practice joy. (See my book: Empty-Nest Joyride: Love, Hope, and Purpose on the Road to Contentment). And I’m excited to learn how I can reclaim aging!

What does it mean to “reclaim aging”? I’m only a few chapters in, but already I’m reminded that ageism is alive and well. “Old” people are often ridiculed, disrespected, or disregarded, while we idolize youthfulness. I’m guilty of ageism myself, and you probably are too. It’s hard not to be when ageist influences have surrounded us our entire lives.

Rather than elevating older adults as the wiser, most respected members of society, as some cultures do, in my world the message is “don’t get old!” Treatments, tools, and serums to prevent wrinkles and “age” spots, surgery to eliminate sagging skin, and hair dye to cover our gray are all attempts to reverse, or at least hide, any signs of aging. By some estimates, the global anti-aging industry is expected to be worth around $85 billion in 2025.¹

But what if we saw aging for what it is—a normal process. I love this line from Walrond’s book, which she borrows from Ashton Applewhite²:

Aging is living, and living is aging.

Being “old” is a relative term. Compared to kids, teens, and anyone under forty, sixty-three might seem old. But to those in their seventies and eighties, I’m still young. So, I’m over saying or thinking that “I’m old.” Rather, I’m just getting older. I’m aging. Which means I’m living.

And living is something to be celebrated! 🥳 🎉

Today is a destination.

Nisswa, a little lake town in central Minnesota, has become a popular vacation destination, with restaurants, resorts, and shops galore. We used to drive by it en route to our annual vacation destination, and I would say, “Isn’t that a cute place? I want to go there someday!” And every year, we would speed by on our way to get where we were going, and we’d never find time to visit.

Now we have our own place in Minnesota, and this summer I’ve been to Nisswa twice. But both times, I was on my way to or from somewhere else, leaving me with only about thirty minutes to take in over thirty unique boutiques and gift shops. In other words, I barely made a dent. Still, it was enough to really whet my appetite.

Finally, two days ago, on a cloudy October day, Nisswa was my destination! After shopping for about an hour, I sat down at the Main Street Ale House, sipping a Castle Danger Creme Ale, and, while waiting for my Autumn Salad (think lettuce, kale, butternut squash, apple slices, pepinos, feta, all swimming in a tangy vinaigrette), I began writing this post. After lunch, I had another three hours to leisurely browse, buy a few Christmas gifts, and pick up a fun flannel shirt as a birthday gift to myself.

That day in Nisswa illustrates how I’m trying to live these days in my sixties. I want to be purposeful about time, letting each day unfold at the pace of browsing a gift shop on an overcast, autumn day.

So often, we live our days like a hurried stop on the way to something bigger and better—always planning, dreaming, or looking forward to the next big adventure, vacation, or holiday. Or, we fall into boredom and discontent as we look back on past momentous days. For me this past year’s biggies were my book release and my daughter’s wedding. But there were countless other good days in between!

Rather than always looking forward or back, let’s make each day a destination of its own. Twenty-four hours to be productive (or not), active (or lazy), happy (or melancholy), and grateful—no matter the circumstances. Just grateful for another day of living.

Gratitude: the good life’s essential ingredient.

Practicing gratitude is high on the list of what makes life good and fulfilling. As I lie in bed each night, I listen to my meditation app—Lectio 365—and I hear these words:

Reflecting on the day that has passed, Lord, show me where you were at work in my life. In what ways did I experience your goodness, and when did I hear you speak?

The words prompt me to find something good in every day. Some days it’s easier than others. But almost always, encounters with friends or family, if they’ve happened, are the first things that pop into my mind. Other times, God’s goodness shows up in the little things, and often it’s through the beauty of his creation.

If we examine our days, we’ll see God at work in our lives, we’ll hear him speak, and we’ll experience his goodness.

And so, on this first day of my 64th spin around the sun, I’m grateful. For the gift of aging and living. For the blessing of slow autumn days. And for the countless ways I’ve experienced the goodness of God.

Which reminds me of this beautiful song. Have a listen!

What are your thoughts on aging, slowing down, and/or gratitude? Any practices you can share? Comment here, or let me know you were here by hitting the ❤️.

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For more on the topic of aging, see my post from September, 2023, Turning Gray: Can We Embrace, Replace, and Give Grace?

*This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I get a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. All links are through Bookshop.org, an online bookstore that supports local, independent bookstores. Thanks for your support!

1. Statistic from Mordor Intelligence

2. Ashton Applewhite is an internationally recognized expert on Ageism, and author of This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism.