Why 60 is Better than 16

• At 16 I had boundless energy. At 60 I have resilience, endurance, and a richer source of energy springing from deep within. I also take naps more often!
• At 16 I would run ONE mile and be exhausted. At 60, I just logged a personal best in a 15K (9.3 miles) and am on track to do the same in the Indy Mini in May.
• At 16 I was earning minimum wage in ho-hum jobs. At 60 I earn a respectable income doing work I love.
• At 16 l thought I was pretty intelligent. At 60 I am wise enough to know that I am only smart in some ways and really incompetent in others. More importantly, I’m smart enough now to know that working together with others is better – because “we” are smarter than “me”.
• At 16 I had lots of buddies and party friends. At 60 I have an amazing circle of friends, old and new, that celebrate with me, cry with me, encourage me, show me the way and lift me up.
• At 16 I didn’t have a clue where I was headed. At 60, I am still asking the question but can relax, knowing  that the path is winding and that it will reveal itself as long as I do the work.
• At 16 I was book smart. At 60 I am book smart, street smart, and heart smart. And I know that what I don’t know far exceeds what I do.
• At 16 any minor setback felt like the end of the world. At 60 I take the small things in stride and spend energy on the things that really matter.
• At 16 I was lucky to have a few bucks in my wallet. At 60 I have a few more bucks in a few more places. And I also know that financial serenity is not about the size of your bank account but your ability to manage what you have.
• At 16 I knew that I could always go back home to the safety of my parents. At 60 I’ve grown into healthy balance of independence and interdependence, knowing that I can stand alone, but that no one really stands alone.
• At 16 I didn’t give family much thought and believed my parents were really out of touch. At 60 I am know that family matters so very much. And I have memories of a mom and dad who were wise and caring and are missed every single day.
• At 16 I was optimistic and naive. At 60 I grieve for the state of our planet, our future, our dysfunctional government, schools and health care systems, but cling to optimism that we can do better.
• At 16 I thought it was all about me. At 60 I know that it is all about others.
• At 16, I thought 30 was old. At 60, I know age is determined more by the nature of your mind than the pages of the calendar.

So, now that I think about it, 60 will be OK. And I say that fully knowing that I am closer to the end. But I vow to wear out, not rust out, and to make the rest of my life all that it can be.

Look out world!!