The mind that is wise mourns less for what age takes away; than what it leaves behind.
– William Wordsworth

Today I officially became one year older. I love how this transformation happens overnight. You go to bed one age and the next day you wake up one year older.

As the grey hairs continue to increase in number I wonder how did I get to be the age I am today. It seems like yesterday my parents were this age and I was much younger. I am supposed to be wiser now than I was all those years ago and yet often I wish I knew then what I know now.

Life happens. You do some great things. You do some stupid things – mistakes – some big and others insignificant in the greater scheme of things. You do some things because you have to. You avoid certain things. You take risks when necessary. You learn a lot about yourself and others along the way. Experience is a great teacher.

One of the best things about getting older has been learning to love me and not caring about what others think. I feel so much freer and confident as a result. There are so many things about growing up that I am so glad to leave behind. For me life keeps getting better with each passing year with one exception – my physical body isn’t as sprightly as I would like it to be.

So as I begin a fresh new year in my life I want to thank everyone that has been a part of my life up to this point. Thank you for being you. Thank you for being there for me through the joys, the sorrows and everything in-between. You all make my life so much richer. You are what life is all about for me.

Manifesto
27. Every day pain is a sign of growing.
31. Every day mend bridges, bury hatchets, say sorry and move on.
43. Every day accept you will make mistakes. Learn from them. They are opportunities in disguise.