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Turn, Lift Your Eyes, and Look
I turned 44 recently.
To celebrate, I got up at 4:45 am, had a bite to eat, and ran 10 miles in the cold. There was snow on the ground and with the wind chill it was about 25 °F.
Running south, there was a stiff wind blowing; one of those winds that makes you cry involuntary tears.
At one point in the run, I questioned my life choices.
44 trips around the sun. Seasonally speaking, I’ve known more winters than summers. Metaphorically, far more summers than winters.
When I was little, 44 seemed ancient to me. Now that I am 44, it doesn’t seem so old. My capacity to step out my front door and run 10 miles is almost as good as it has ever been. I’m slowly getting a grip on the stress in my life, and have made some strides toward improving my diet as well.
In short: I have pretty good health and good mobility. I perceive that I’m a young 44 year old.
Perspective is an interesting thing. When you’re young, you look forward to the future. As more years pass, the perspective shifts. You spend an increasing amount of time thinking about the past:
- Thoughts that are laced with regret
- Thoughts filled with nostalgia for the way things were
- Thoughts of gratitude for experiences…
