I have always had a view that age is merely a statistic that, seemingly, we all need to have, but only really need if we intend to collect social security.
The question I like to ask is “How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were?”
I posed this question recently to, Tony, who has a blog titled “10,000 Miles of Experiences, Adventures and Thoughts” and he wrote the following on the topic.
My view is live life how you see fit at any time, pursue your dreams without the fear of age or what someone else thinks, holding you back.
We’ll all die one day, but how many of us will truly live?
In my post about crevasses (I Have to Cross What?) I mentioned that I am pushing 50 and getting too old for mountaineering stuff anymore.
Well I have a new follower, Baz the Landy, who asked me “How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were???”
That stopped me dead in my tracks. I’ve heard “You are only as old as you feel.” “Act your age!” “I’m a kid at heart” etc, but this question got me to do some serious thinking.
What if I woke up without a memory of my date of birth AND no access to mirrors (cuz I look older than dirt in my opinion (sorry babe, my wife HATES when I say that, but I digress…)) How old would I think I am??
On any given day, I still feel like a college kid. Somewhere in my early 20s. I…
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Just watched an interview with a very wealthy man. The interviewer asked the question “How do you feel at 80 years old” and his reply…” I was well at 20 and I am well at 80″…..says it all!!!
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Good on him!
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I think we should all pursue our dreams, whatever they are, and regardless of age. I live to the adage that there are no ordinary moments, or people, enjoy whatever you do, wherever you are, if you do then for sure, you will truly live!
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If you can live life to its fullest and travel the world, that is truly great and something you will always have. I commonly read blogs and articles where people say, “get out there and live” and “travel the world” and “experience the world.” They say this as if that’s all life is about, which I can somewhat agree with. However, does that mean those who cannot afford such moments will never fully live?
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with a birthday coming up, i’m giving this some serious thought. and now i can save money putting less candles on my (ice cream) cake! cheers to living your best life know matter what your year. 🙂
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Hear, hear, and long live the ice cream man! 😉
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Such a thought provoking post! I’ve heard this question before, but it’s always made me a bit uncomfortable. I’m going to spend some time thinking about this, though I must say that my gut reaction is right where I am, early twenties! 🙂
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….Let me know your thoughts, love to hear them!
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When I tell people that I worked overseas for six years, they quite often reply with an excuse as to why they haven’t. The most common is ‘I’m too old now, I should have done it when I was younger’. I tell them that, whilst I was away, I worked and travelled with people of all ages from all backgrounds. I think there are two types of people in this situation, the ones who allow the excuses to stop them and the ones who don’t.
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“How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were?” ……Age is a statistical measurement that belies a certain expectation.
George Dawson comes to mind for me in his autobiography “Life is so Good”, his father told him this each day and George believed this to be true.
In his book he quotes “People forget that a picture ain’t made from just one color. Life ain’t all good or all bad. It’s full of everything!” and he believed that life was getting better.
George lived life with the expectation that it was good and embraced it. Age did not equate an expection for him, ” life was good just as it was.”
And just for statistical measurements…George was an African American born in 1898. He learnt to read at the age of 98, wrote his autobiography (co-written with Richard Glaubman) at age 101, attained his high school degree at age 103. He passed away that same year!!
Just before learning to read he said to himself “All your life you’ve wanted to read. Maybe this is why you’re still around.” And that was what he believed to be true!!!
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Great, I know the book you are talking about, Um, might go and check my library, you didn’t borrow it from me, could be overdue! Hahaha 😉
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Nah!! Wishful thinking..although I do have one of B.T.’s here “Five Months in a Leaky Boat”…don’t tell him as it has been overdue around 10 years…hahahaha!!! 🙂
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25! Only to relive this fabulous stage in my life again: Sydney / Australia! Do I need to say more?
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Beautiful, and here is the thing, it is mid-morning on a spectacular autumn day in Sydney. Blue, cloudless sky; strewth, wouldn’t be dead for quids!
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25.8 yrs old at the very MAX !! I live for the moment just like you.
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🙂
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Good for you, Baz! What a great question! I think what keeps me coming back to your blog is how frequently in your posts you remind me about living a full, rich life, whether that means camping with your family, trying something new, or scaling mountains. Thanks for the inspiration!
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A pleasure! 🙂
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