S-l-o-w Learner is a series based on the premise that I seem to require more time than most to learn basic life lessons.
I’m discovering that there are some advantages to getting older. It seems only fair that if I have to deal with the ravages of time, gravity and stress, then there should be some positive aspects to balance things out. Here are three shifts in perspective that are gathering momentum with the passing years:
- I’m caring less what other people think, which can be very liberating. As Terry Cole-Whitaker used to say, “What you think about me is none of my business.” I’ve wasted a lot of years trying to please others and losing sleep over how I’m being perceived or judged, but lately I’m more inclined to just be how I am and let the chips fall where they may.
- I’m seeing that I’ve made it this far in life and finally realizing that I can do this thing. It may not always look pretty or feel swell, but proceeding along the path as if I know what I’m doing just beats the alternative of worrying and wondering how it’s all going to turn out.
- Having reached an age where it’s fairly certain there are less years ahead than behind me, I’m thinking I’d better get clear about what I want to do with my life and then do it. No more dress rehearsal, no more trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up, and no more regrets about what might have been.
As I said, I’m a s-l-o-w learner, but better late than never.
- A.G.R
