Happy New Year

I read something today that surprised me. Ready to be surprised? Here you go…

• “An extensive study in the U.S.A found that the most productive age in human life is between 60-70 years of age.” (I had to read that several times for it to actually sink in).
• “The 2nd most productive stage of the human being is from 70 to 80 years of age.”
• “The 3rd most productive stage is from 50 to 60 years of age.”
• “The average age of NOBEL PRIZE winners is 62 years old.”
• “The average age of the presidents of prominent companies in the world is 63 years.”
• “This tells us, in a way, that it has been determined that the best years of your life are between 60 and 80 years.”
• “A study published in NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE found that at age 60, you reach the TOP of your potential, and this continues into your 80s.”
• “Therefore, if you are between 60-70 or 70-80 you are in the BEST and 2nd best stage of your life.”
• (SOURCE: New England Journal of Medicine 70, 389, 2018)

It’s time to rethink aging as a decline instead of as a gateway to your best years!

Every year I spend so much time mourning the passing of time and feeling that I somehow haven’t done enough…haven’t lived up to my potential enough… and that life is almost over… I need to hurry. Reading those above statements, the fact I do that seems absolutely ridiculous. I’m not even 60 yet, so rather than worrying I don’t have much time left and I haven’t done all I want to do, maybe I need to focus on the fact maybe my best years are ahead of me? I think I will adopt this shift in perspective…

Whenever we start a new year, I think all of us try to figure out what we should change about ourselves. What do we need to quit? What do we need to improve? We “resolve” to do better and change things in ourselves. What if, instead, we decide to just embrace who we are and be more authentically that? Wouldn’t that be so much better? I think it would be…

I believe in magic. Not the kind with the rabbit and top hat… everyday miracles. That kind. I will never not believe in that magic. It’s everywhere all the time… from watching nature to manifesting a parking space.

I believe in love. I will always…

I believe in the power of forgiveness.

I believe there is something to learn from every life experience.

I believe there is beauty in imperfection.

I believe you can find joy and happiness in simple things…

Some of the things that bring me joy are:

• Looking at the stars while laying on a beach with a campfire.
• Cooking yummy things. Cooking is kind of like meditating for me sometimes… (except seafood – I don’t cook that)
• The smell of fresh herbs… rosemary, basil, thyme, dill
• High thread count sheets
• Soft clothing
• A cozy home with a fire in the fireplace and scented candles
• A nice Grand Cru
• The sound of waves and the smell of saltwater
• Meaningful relationships (long ones or short ones)
• Laughing with my adult children
• Flowers
• The smell of Christmas trees
• Looking for seashells
• Books and bookstores
• Music
• Going on “adventures” to new places
• Sunrises and sunsets
• and Grilled cheese sandwiches

If you are reading this, I wish you much love and happiness in this new year. I hope you will be gentle with yourself (we are all works in progress), and remember – the best is yet to come.

(I took the above photo while walking down a random street in Italy with no particular destination in mind… just enjoying being there and observing the beauty in imperfect things.)