Today is my birthday.
When I was much younger, I loved my birthday. Then I went through an unfortunate phase from about 35 through 40 (which I now consider to have been a complete waste of time and energy and, more unforgivably, cake) when I spent my birthdays thinking about all I had NOT accomplished.
I got over that, happily, and now I’m back to enjoying the day. It does, however, inspire me to reflect on aging and my future. When wandering around on Ted.com one day recently, I came upon this remarkable Ted Talk Jane Fonda gave about her life since 60 and what she thinks we can get out of what she calls our “third act.” It’s profound and positive and has made me think a great deal about how to use my time.
Hope you enjoy it! (And youngsters, feel free to skip this one if you aren’t yet ready to hear about how much fun and satisfaction you can look forward to later in life.) Of course, I can afford to be optimistic. There’s cake in my future!
October 19, 2016 at 6:28 am
Most excellent. Happy birthday from the heart.
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 19, 2016 at 7:36 am
Thank you, sweetie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 19, 2016 at 6:36 am
Happy Birthday to you, Donna–and many, many more!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 19, 2016 at 7:36 am
Thanks! So far, it’s been a great day!
LikeLike
October 19, 2016 at 7:41 am
Happy Birthday. My birthday wish for you is that ONLY GOOD things happen for you today. Happy Birthday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 19, 2016 at 3:59 pm
Thank you! That’s a lovely wish!
LikeLike
October 19, 2016 at 4:15 pm
You are welcome
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 19, 2016 at 8:18 am
Happy New You-Year! Celebrate every little joy that every day brings – like your followers celebrate receiving your lovely blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 19, 2016 at 4:00 pm
Thanks, lovely! I really appreciate that.
LikeLike
October 19, 2016 at 8:45 am
Happy birthday Donna! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 19, 2016 at 11:06 am
Happy birthday. So true, Im 71 but only look ahead. Like most people I did stupid things in the past but I dont regret them now. Its easy in hindsight to think I shouldnt have done them but i think making them made me a better person! Enjoy today(and tomorrow and the next and………………….)
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 19, 2016 at 4:08 pm
Thank you! I am really fond of most of my past mistakes, and I look forward to making loads more in the future!
LikeLike
October 19, 2016 at 11:45 am
Happy Birthday to you!!
Thanks so much for posting this, it’s just wonderful! I’ve shared it on my Facebook page.
Have a great day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 19, 2016 at 4:08 pm
I’m so glad you liked it! She’s a real inspiration. Thank you!
LikeLike
October 19, 2016 at 3:57 pm
Happy Birthday!
I spend too much time regretting how much time I wasted in my younger days on trivial things. Without realizing the wider world around me. And all the time I was wasting! A vicious cycle. But I wouldn’t trade those days for anything.
Thanks for making me think about these things.
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 19, 2016 at 4:17 pm
I have heard many times over that it’s not the things we did in our past that we regret in our later years. It’s instead the things we didn’t do. Accordingly, I’m going to keep having as much fun as possible!
LikeLike
October 20, 2016 at 10:39 am
Oh boy….that’s the attitude to have. I’m still kicking myself for not studying in Europe in high school or college, though, back in the day, that wasn’t quite the option that it is for today’s students. So, what’s a gal to do? I know: MOVE!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 20, 2016 at 11:11 am
I like how you’re thinking!
LikeLike
October 19, 2016 at 5:19 pm
Thank you for finding this; it’s terrific! And happy birthday again!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 19, 2016 at 8:01 pm
Thanks, love!
LikeLike
October 19, 2016 at 5:56 pm
thank you, that was wonderful, such an amazingly inciteful woman
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 20, 2016 at 12:49 am
She’s really the business. Glad you liked it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 19, 2016 at 11:17 pm
Happy Birthday Donna!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 20, 2016 at 12:50 am
XOXOXO
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 21, 2016 at 7:08 pm
I hope that you had a very happy birthday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 22, 2016 at 1:18 pm
Thanks! I definitely did.
LikeLike
October 22, 2016 at 9:38 pm
Great post. Stay positive!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 22, 2016 at 9:40 pm
Turns out that’s getting easier to do. I’m really enjoying my life more than ever, and I’ve got so much to look forward to. I’m a lucky girl!
LikeLike