November is my birthday month. I’ve discovered since crossing the 60’s threshold that my likes and dislikes have increasingly simplified. I’m grateful to still find myself here and reasonably healthy for another year. One of the many aging adages declares that we return to a childlike state as we move into our elder years. This is an unfoldment I witness growing daily in myself that continuously delights and catches me by surprise. I appreciate all the little things that happen in a day. From those that spark a laugh and inspire gratitude in my heart to those things that remind me I am aging and must approach this stage in my life differently than I have the others. More time must be carved for walks, cycling, sewing, cooking, preparing, pondering. That’s what aging demands of us. An examined life is the one we never regret. I’m paraphrasing some wise soul but it struck me as A TRUTH when I read it.
Respectable Elder/Crone
My health has been a primary focus for me over the past few months and perhaps that also is just to be expected as we approach a birthday. Although we say a number isn’t important, in a sense that’s not quite true. We all bring some expectations re that number we are turning at a birthday, even if we hotly deny its relevance. To varying degrees that number impacts on how we see ourselves positioned in time and place. AKA “ego”.
For one thing, people react to us differently. You know your clock has hit some sort of milestone just by how people treat you. Not people who have known you for a while but strangers. People who have known you for a while don’t alter their reactions to you unless something happens to make your age stand out to them such as a life threatening illness.
I recall the first time someone called me “ma’am”. I was 22 years old and he might have been 17 or 18. I was blindsided and probably stared at him with my mouth hanging open. He basically was suggesting that he saw me as the “elder” and was being respectful. I didn’t notice any such thing – I just regarded him as the same as me UNTIL that “ma’am” emitted from his mouth. Now I’m asked if I qualify for the senior discount. People have a way of putting you in your place – age wise, sex wise – in every way.
You don’t have to cave into it entirely but being aware will help you use this information for your own benefit. Yes. Believe it or not, there are tremendous benefits to joining the ranks of the aged. Expectations drop significantly allowing lots of room to challenge stereo types and have a good belly laugh.
Health Wake-Up Call
Just today we picked up our coffee from a shop counter and I forgot my gloves at the counter in a bit of muddle putting my wallet away in a new purse. A fellow grabbed Erich’s arm and asked, “Are these yours (referring to my gloves)?” Erich answered, “Probably” and that started some giggling and I joked that’s just his optimism talking and they all guffawed. The funny part was it was MY gloves not his and he was willing take full responsibility for forgetting ANY gloves because he knows his memory is totally pathetic whereas mine is still reasonably keen thank heavens. But I am forgetting more and it’s an awkward adjustment for me.
I did need a wake-up call re my health. I needed to revamp my diet and exercise routine to be more in sync with my age and lifestyle. What suited me a decade or two ago is markedly different than where I’m at today. A visit from my “step-mother” helped me tremendously. I finally listened to her advice in my ear and began down a road of research that led me to some shifts in my diet that were long overdue and has resulted in some amazing changes to my health.
It never hurts to do an in depth examination and assessment re what in your life needs to be revised, tossed or embraced. I like birthdays for nudging me along in this process.
Scorpio & the High Priestess
Scorpio is the sign for November and the Tarot card is the High Priestess whose element is water and like Scorpio she is the mystic, dream interpreter, card reader, wise woman of the Tarot. She reminds us that we came from spirit and is to spirit we will return. We listen to her teachings diligently or she will knock us down until we listen. She is our spiritual mother. Her words can be severe, painful on the ears and heart, insensitive and simultaneously freeing. She points the way to freedom but reminds us the cost isn’t cheap. November does seem fitting for the High Priestess – it’s the luminous, transitional month no matter where in the world you live. I wish you a joyous November!