If Facebook is good for nothing else, it’s an excellent way to have motivational sayings come across your desk every once in a while. I’ve seen this one a few times before, but with my birthday coming up it made me think. Contemplate life, even.
It’s so easy to fall into the psychological trap of mourning one’s youth. As the years pass we find we’re not able to do the same things we used to, both physically and mentally. We wake up in the morning with new aches and pains, we find gray hairs in places we never imagined would go gray, and skin wrinkling in places reserved in our minds only for someone’s grandparent. Yet one thing is true – if you’re reading this, you’re alive, no matter how old you are.
Whether or not you consider this a privilege, it is what it is. You are alive now and have the potential, for at least another little while, to affect someone else’s life. I may just be affecting yours as I write this.
I think if I could leave behind any legacy at all, it would be to remind people of this: our shared human experiences and our emotions know no cultural nor religious boundaries, and each and every one of us has the ability to affect another of our species. So be good to one another.
We’re all connected, if by nothing more than Facebook, and by nothing less than being human.
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January 8, 2014 at 8:06 pm
So true, Linda….tis a blessing to have another day on this a Earth!! I’ll be 50 this March, or as my kids say, a half century. Doesn’t bother me, I’ve grown more comfortable in my body as I age…..actually, I feel it’s quite a burden lifted off my shoulders. No more having to look perfect , it’s really quite freeing!!!
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January 8, 2014 at 8:15 pm
It is, isn’t it? Well, other than the few pounds I’d like to lose… 😛
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January 8, 2014 at 6:02 pm
I enjoy getting old. Now I have an excuse to be grumpy. }:-|>
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January 8, 2014 at 7:30 pm
Yeah, let me know when you get old enough to get away with it. 😉
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January 8, 2014 at 5:48 pm
Well said!
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January 8, 2014 at 7:26 pm
Thank you, Donna! 🙂
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January 8, 2014 at 5:44 pm
You are so much right Linda. Thanks for sharing.
Irene
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January 8, 2014 at 7:26 pm
Thank you, Irene! 🙂
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January 8, 2014 at 5:23 pm
“I’m not getting older. I’m leveling up.” Today (the past week) has been difficult remembering this. As long as you wake up you can make that day yours and improve on it. But sometimes that is so hard to remember. Sometimes it’s easy to drown in the heartbreak. Which is where I am today. Maybe tomorrow will be different.
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January 8, 2014 at 7:19 pm
You can’t move forward when you’re living in the past, my dear. Do your best to make tomorrow different. I’ll be thinking of you. 🙂
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January 8, 2014 at 9:59 pm
I believe tomorrow will be a long way off 😛 Betrayal sucks. So I just keep writing, and maybe some day I’ll write enough that it won’t hurt.
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January 8, 2014 at 11:28 pm
Time heals, they say. But so does moving on and finding someone else! 🙂
(You may be able to tell I’m not going to give up easily.)
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January 8, 2014 at 11:37 pm
I appreciate that. Moving on for me has met with a lot of disaster so far 😛 I had a promising lady and she has cancelled on me three or four times now. So kind of giving up on that one.
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January 8, 2014 at 11:40 pm
Ah, if only I was younger, had fewer kids and lived closer. Three strikes, huh? 😉
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January 9, 2014 at 8:05 am
Ha. Thanks. I can overcome a lot 😛 A national border might be too much.
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January 9, 2014 at 8:31 am
Maybe in the next lifetime, eh? 😉
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January 9, 2014 at 8:35 am
Don’t forget the loin cloth 😛
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January 9, 2014 at 8:36 am
Haha! Of course!
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January 8, 2014 at 3:48 pm
Very true – I always try to be mindful of enjoying whatever age I am. 🙂
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January 8, 2014 at 4:46 pm
That’s great! I have my moments too. 😛 hehe
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January 8, 2014 at 3:17 pm
Growing older is a privilege. So many people never get to experience old age. Some never see 20. We each have an impact on others, whether we realize it or not. We should strive to make it a positive one.
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January 8, 2014 at 4:46 pm
Most definitely. 🙂 Just so you know, part of what inspired this was our discussion on OM’s site yesterday. 🙂
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January 8, 2014 at 5:40 pm
I kind of picked up on that. 🙂
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January 8, 2014 at 7:25 pm
🙂
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January 9, 2014 at 4:46 pm
I was pondering this post and our discussion again this morning and now I have a question. You mentioned in the post “So be good to one another” because we affect others with our words. During our discussion, did I come off in any way that was unthoughtful, rude, etc? I continually try to better myself and your (honest) answer will help me to understand how my words are viewed and if I portrayed my thoughts in a negative manner. Thank you in advance, Linda.
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January 9, 2014 at 5:11 pm
You didn’t come off as rude or unthoughtful at all. You stated your opinion in a very concise and straightforward manner, which is all anyone can hope for. Honestly, you have nothing to worry about. 🙂
It’s very difficult sometimes to get a point across without someone misinterpreting one’s tone on the internet, especially in the case of these little reply boxes. I’m constantly watching my words too… all this to say, I feel for you. 🙂
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January 9, 2014 at 5:22 pm
Thank you for the honesty in your reply. I’m relieved to know that I didn’t come off in such a way and hope that I never do.
You’re right. It can be difficult to express our thoughts in a way that is not misinterpreted. On the internet, there is no audible tone to hear or facial expressions to see. It’s all about wording. Thank you again. 🙂
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January 9, 2014 at 5:44 pm
No problem at all 🙂
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January 8, 2014 at 2:59 pm
You’re lucky. All I see on my Facebook wall are things about bacon, Doctor Who, and politics.
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January 8, 2014 at 4:38 pm
We must have the same friends. Bacon never gets old though 😉
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January 8, 2014 at 4:46 pm
So true!!
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January 8, 2014 at 5:04 pm
I’m kind of over it, but mostly due to doctor’s orders.
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January 8, 2014 at 4:42 pm
…bacon is good. 😛
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January 8, 2014 at 5:05 pm
As long as you don’t tell the doctor. 😉
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January 8, 2014 at 7:16 pm
You obviously need new Facebook friends who won’t tease you with bacon. 😉
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January 8, 2014 at 2:59 pm
I have lost too many too early to not remember that life is a gift. Thanks for sharing the quote Linda. It’s pretty cool. 🙂
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January 8, 2014 at 4:41 pm
You’re welcome, Sue. Thanks for sharing.
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January 8, 2014 at 2:58 pm
Great post! I like that, “be good to one another.” Gee, doesn’t this world need more of that!
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January 8, 2014 at 4:41 pm
Thanks very much! And yes, it does 🙂
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January 8, 2014 at 2:44 pm
When is your birthday?
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January 8, 2014 at 2:47 pm
Oh, in a couple of weeks. 😉
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January 8, 2014 at 2:48 pm
Oh, that’s not very specific. 😉
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January 8, 2014 at 2:51 pm
Nah. I don’t need a lot of fuss.
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January 8, 2014 at 2:43 pm
Yes , I agree! After a line changing accident I dare not moan about piffling birthday!! 😉 xxxx
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January 8, 2014 at 2:45 pm
What line changing accident? What did I miss?
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January 8, 2014 at 2:53 pm
sorry I meant life changing accident , I broke my back four years back, smashed it really badly, three ops and a month in hospital.
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January 8, 2014 at 2:54 pm
OOoh, boy, that would be life changing. I’m glad you’re still around to talk about it! 🙂
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January 8, 2014 at 3:12 pm
So am I Linda , So am I ! and do you know what I am walking, and standing up as straight as I can and I have got rid of the walking stick!! 😉 😉 xxxxxxxx
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January 8, 2014 at 4:44 pm
That is absolutely wonderful. I’m sure there was a great deal of positive thinking and effort that went into that. Good for you! 😀
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January 8, 2014 at 4:54 pm
Yes lots of blue days too! But with the help of the physios and the guys at the gym I am getting there! you are a strong lady you know with all you cope with so well ! Kudos to you !! 😉 xx
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January 8, 2014 at 4:59 pm
Determination goes a long way. 😉
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January 8, 2014 at 5:03 pm
😀 and you would know. …… we would know.
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January 8, 2014 at 7:15 pm
Exactly! 😀
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January 8, 2014 at 2:39 pm
great quote
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January 8, 2014 at 2:41 pm
It is, isn’t it? 🙂 Thanks for the comment, Greg!
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January 8, 2014 at 2:34 pm
I used to jokingly complain about having another birthday until my step-dad said, “It’s better than the alternative.” Such simple words yet they resonated with me. I haven’t complained since!
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January 8, 2014 at 2:36 pm
Really does make you think, doesn’t it? Thanks for sharing that, Carrie. 🙂
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