Thursday, November 04, 2004

growing old *by Melanie T. Lim

MANY people are afraid of growing old.
I'm afraid of growing old and boring.
Many people are afraid ofgrowing old, alone.
I'm afraid of growing old,insane.
Many people are afraid of losing their looks.
I'mafraid of losing my dreams.
Many people are afraid oflosing their youth.
I'm afraid of losing my soul.
When you're 15, 35 seems ancient.
When you're 35, 15 seems juvenile.
A turnaround in a split second - twodecades zoom past and before you know it, it's only amile to the next millennium.
Don't fear age- it's aright of personhood.
Don't fear death- it's God'sgreatest jest.
Don't grow old - you don't have to.
Don't date because you're desperate.
Don't marry because you're miserable.
Don't have kids because youthink your genes are superior.
Don't se paratebecauseyou think it's fashionable.
Don't drink because youhave troubles.
Don't gamble because you think winningis inevitable.
Don't philander because you thinkyou're irresistible.
Most likely, you're not.
Don't associate with people you can't trust.
Don't cheat. Don't lie. Don't pretend.
Don't try to buyyourway into the kingdom of God.
Don't dictate becauseyou're smarter.
Don't demand because you're stronger.
Don't sleep around because you think you're oldenoughand know better.
Don't hurt your kids because lovingthem is harder.
Don't sell your self, your family oryour ideals.
Don't stagnate.
Don't regress.
Learn a new skill.
Finda new friend.
Start a new career.
Don't live in thepast.
Time can't bring anything or anyone back.
Don'tput your life on hold for possibly Mr./Ms. Right.
Don't throw your life away on absolutely Mr./Ms.Wrong because your biological clock is ticking and youcan'tafford to have your eggs harvested before the newmillennium.
There's always a mad rush to something, somewhere butvictory does not always belong to those who finishfirst.
Sometimes, there is no race to be won, only aprice to be paid for some of life's more hastydecisions.
You can't always go with the throng whocould be wrong.
Sometimes, you have to be alone to beenlightened.To terminate your loneliness, reach out to thehomeless.
To feed your nurturing instincts, care forthe needy.
To fulfill your parenting fantasies, get apuppy.
Don't bring another life into this world forall the wrong reasons.
To keep yourself warm, buy ajacket.
In the long run, it will be less complicatedand less costly.
To make yourself happy, pursue yourpassions and be the best of what you can be.
Simplify your life.
Take away the clutter.
Get rid ofdestructive elements, abusive friends, nasty habitsand dangerous liaisons.
Don't abandon your responsibilities but don't overdoseon duty.
Don't live life recklessly without thought and feelingfor your family.
Be true to yourself.
Don't commit when you're not ready.
Don't keep otherswaiting needlessly.
Fall in love - it's the greatest thing on earth.
But take care and remember, after the fall must comethe rise.
Go on that trip. Don't postpone it.
Say those words.
Don't let the moment pass.
Do what you must even atsociety's scorn.
Write poetry.
Love deeply.
Walkbarefoot.
Hold hands.
Dance with wild abandon.
Cry atthe movies.
Take care of yourself.
Don't wait for someone to takecare of you.
You light up your life.
You driveyourself to your destination.
No one completes you -except you.
It is true that life doesn't get easier with age.
Itonly gets more challenging.
Don't be afraid.
Don'tlose your capacity to love.
Pursue your passions.
Liveyour dreams.
Don't lose faith in God.
Don't grow old. Just grow up. *

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