C is for Clarity – When
I was brainstorming things about being 63, the very first thing that came to my
mind was clarity. Today I decided to look up clarity online – Merriam Webster’s
definition is this: the quality or state of being clear. Well CRAP – I don’t
think I have clarity. Surely by the time you are 63, you should. I guess I do
have clarity in some areas of my life. I’m clear who I am – I’m a person who is
still growing and learning. I do have moments of clarity. I don’t remember
everything that has happened over the years, but I do remember some things with
amazing clarity. When you think of clarity what comes to mind?
C is for Change – I’ve
always heard that sometimes when people get “older” they have change aversion.
That is a nice way to say that old people often don’t like change. At 63, I’m
not there yet. I grew up attending traditional worship and actually usually
still attend traditional worship, but I must admit that I love the music that
is played/sung in our contemporary service. As I’m typing, I’m listening to
Elevation Worship sing “Graves Into Gardens.” The crowd surrounding the stage
in the YouTube video is young. At 63, I would stand out YET I love listening.
I know that I just said that I don’t have change aversion .
. .but the change that I’m not looking forward to is retirement. I know most
people look forward to that time in their life but I love my job. I love having
a sense of purpose. I love helping others. I still have several years (hopefully)
before I have to retire. I work with a very YOUNG staff, and I’ve worked hard
to stay sharp and keep up.
I wonder as I work through the alphabet if I will CHANGE my
mind on some things! Do you have change aversion?
C is for Cat (or crazy cat
lady) – I have lots of allergies
and one of my worst is cats and we have a cat. We might even be crazy cat
people. Our cat, Harvey, is a rescue and he is a big baby! He loves to sit in
our laps. He is like a baby who needs a morning nap. He never likes to see the
bottom of his food bowl. He has us wrapped around his little finger paw!
This is how crazy we are . . .he loves to have his teeth flossed. We assume
that his original rescue person flossed his teeth because how in the world
would a cat know about dental floss???
Funny, clarity's not something I give much thought. (Unless I'm penning a business letter, but that doesn't happen so much anymore.) The little church we attend doesn't boast a congregation large enough for 2 services, but you're right. The contemporary music played at another nearby denomination practically begs me to get on my feet.
ReplyDeleteWe are a big church and have 2 contemporary and 2 traditional services at one campus and at our other campus, we have one blended (ish) (more contemporary) service.
DeleteI'm 75 and my clarity seems to be lessening instead of clearifying.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if there is a "certain point" in each one of us where our clarity does begin to slide downhill.
DeleteI think one secret to a happy retirement (and it's a process!!) is to cultivate hobbies well before you retire. It helps. I enjoy volunteering as well and have a regular role every Thursday in an area I enjoy. I know I need to have some things on my calendar regularly, otherwise its just too much blank canvas, too much free time, which for me can send me into the doldrums. It's nice to have flexibility in traveling and being available for our family. Retirement takes some adjusting, but you'll find a new rhythm. Good luck with the A-Z.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great advice!
DeleteHarvey is a handsome boy! We have three cats. I only planned on having two, but I got a two for one deal on the boys (littermates) :D
ReplyDeleteMy husband said he was allergic to cats when we met. I told him he'd just have to get shots or something, because I was never giving up my cat. That was several cats ago! He desensitized himself or was never really allergic - take your pick!
I'm chuckling about your husband's allergies - maybe he did indeed become desentized over time.
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