The simplest things in our youth become blessings in old age [Discussion]

Submitted by TreatThompson t3_10fcmab in GetMotivated

Every little thing I have now could be a miracle to have again in a few years.

When I remind myself that, it’s impossible to take things for granted.

This passage from Henry Miller made me realize how little I need to make it feel like I have everything.

>If at eighty you’re not a cripple or an invalid, if you have your health, if you still enjoy a good walk, a good meal (with all the trimmings), if you can sleep without first taking a pill, if birds and flowers, mountains and sea still inspire you, you are a most fortunate individual and you should get down on your knees morning and night and thank the good Lord for his savin’ and keepin’ power.
>
>If you can fall in love again and again, if you can forgive your parents for the crime of bringing you into the world, if you are content to get nowhere, just take each day as it comes, if you can forgive as well as forget, if you can keep from growing sour, surly, bitter and cynical, man you’ve got it half licked.

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This post was from my newsletter

I share ideas from great thinkers so we can stand on the shoulders of giants, instead of figuring life out alone

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Comments

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erujones t1_j4w4j27 wrote

"...if you can forgive your parents for the crime of bringing you into the world..."

Oof, felt that.

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Plane-Manner-4503 t1_j4yg386 wrote

It's tought I know for a fact my daughter is gonna be pissed that we brought her into the world but hey it is what it is

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TreatThompson OP t1_j4vwxuu wrote

With the passage of time life can turn the simplest things into a miracle—like a walk in the park, a good nights sleep, or watching a movie.

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SuspiciousNoisySubs t1_j4wi0xv wrote

Nice this is good! I aslo particularly responded to the crime of being bought into the world.

I like to think I'm achieving a lot of these but I'm still only in my 40s, and the hill keeps getting steeper as I age...

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TreatThompson OP t1_j4wiiyo wrote

I’m glad it resonated with you! 😄

If you don’t mind me asking, being in your 40s, what are one of those things that’s a focus for you?

Just curious about if your perspective is different now on certain areas than it was 10 years ago. Like maybe family and friends means a lot more!

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SuspiciousNoisySubs t1_j4wm07t wrote

I just try to leave things better than I found them, to be honest.

What's been a little unsettling is I've completely changed perspective on a bunch of things that has almost left me out of touch with who I was. On top of realizing how fallible or memories are and how our senses are borderline untrustworthy, I just try to make the most of what's around, get through the day and not worry too much about the big picture...

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TreatThompson OP t1_j4wog2l wrote

I appreciate the response! And that definitely makes sense. I can see how the dissonance between old memories, beliefs, and values and new ones could cause us to wonder what our true self is

Thanks for that 🙌

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punchchoke t1_j4x7q5h wrote

I am older and you only feel like being brought in the world is a crime if you do not amount to what you dreamed you would as a child.

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TreatThompson OP t1_j4x8hru wrote

That definitely makes sense! A large gap between childhood expectations and elderly reality can cause that feeling

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punchchoke t1_j4x93sj wrote

Sometimes it is a result of fate, most of the time it is a result of poor decisions and sloth; choosing comfort instead of going without for years so your future is better.

Funny how something as simple as making your own food and coffee and result in saving hundreds of thousands over decades.

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TreatThompson OP t1_j4x9is6 wrote

Without the right guidance early on it’s so easy to fall on that track of comfort seeking

I imagine some will eventually take a look around and wonder how they got there

Thanks for sharing! 🙏

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punchchoke t1_j4xa158 wrote

I think martial arts is the best way to go far in life. Doing something hard makes everything else easy.

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s1xc t1_j4zsu3k wrote

> if you can forgive your parents for the crime of bringing you into the world

Forgiveness means I believe they committed a sin. I love my parents regardless of all the sadness I have had in my life and will surely have in the future.

No forgiveness here, there is love only.

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