Just what is he thinking?

Thursday, April 10, 2008

At Least I'm Acting My Age

I recently did one of those "Real Age" quizzes. It goes beyond your calendar age and takes a peek into your lifestyle, habits, and overall health practices to see how old you really are. I guess it's true that you're only as old as you feel.

I don't know if this is the official one endorsed by Oprah, but it seemed legit enough. By the calendar I am 35 years old. My "real" age is also 35. My first thought was, "Well, duh! I can't believe I just wasted fifteen minutes of my life to find out that I really am 35 years old!" But then I just sat there and stared at my computer screen for a while.

"I really am 35 years old."

I don't know about you, but I've always thought of myself as young. That even though the clock keeps ticking, I am much younger than what the calendar says. I think and act younger. I do things that younger people do. Not that I think 35 is "old." But it's not that young either. The President of the United States can be 35 years old. I'm thinking about some former classmates in high school that are my age and have kids who will be graduating from high school this Spring while Vicki and I are in the middle of our fourth (and last) pregnancy.

It just suddenly hit me that I am not young anymore. I am solidly 35 years old. Does everyone have that kind of experience? That epiphany moment when the lights finally come on only to the realization that the lights are starting to dim? I have to watch what I eat. I have to be very intentional about staying active. Doctors want me to start doing maintenance visits that I remember my dad having to do. My six year old is asking what life was like in "the old days" when I was a kid!

I live a healthy lifestyle. I eat healthy and sensibly. I work out regularly. I've lost weight. I don't have any bad health habits. I'm trying to get enough sleep at night. I suppose that I just have to accept that if you really are as old as you feel...this is what 35 must feel like.

2 Comments:

Blogger Dave said...

Unlike you, I've always been considered older than my age. People have always thought I was in my 40s when I turned 30! When I was in candidate screening, my cholesterol and my blood pressure were high, although I had just finished running a marathon. The doctor just told me, "You're a good candidate for medication."

Yeah, the body has a tendency to wind down, but I'm thankful that, with the age, God has given us the experience that we need to be more effective with less. I can't roll out of bed and hit the ground running like I did at CBC, but I'm amazed at how much more that I'm able to accomplish, just because I've been afforded more life experience.

Getting older has it's drawbacks, but I, like you Paul, am happy where I am.

8:59 AM

 
Blogger Unknown said...

Yes, I am very happy where I am. Funny thing... I was preaching at a minister's meeting one day. AFterward, a group of college students said they were debating my age. I asked them what they thought. I should have left it alone. THey thought I was in my early 40's. We laughed about it, but it was another one of "those moments."

but overall, i am very happy and satisfied with exactly where i am.

thanks, dave. great to hear from you again.

11:32 AM

 

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