George Carlin on age - (Absolutely Brilliant)

George Carlin's Views on Aging

Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less thn1 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions.

'How old are you?' 'I'm four and a half!' You're never thirty-six and a half. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key

You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead.

'How old are you?' 'I'm gonna be 16!' You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16! And then the greatest day of your life . . You become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony . YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!!

But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There's no fun now, you're Just a sour-dumpling. What's wrong? What's changed?

You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50 and your dreams are gone.

But wait!!! You MAKE it to 60. You didn't think you would!

So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and HIT 70! After that it's a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday!

You get into your 80's and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30 ; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn't end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; 'I Was JUST 92.'

Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. 'I'm 100 and a half!'
May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!

HOW TO STAY YOUNG
1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay 'them.'

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.' And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love , whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NO t were the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them , at every opportunity.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER :
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Healthy living

How we deal with the changes in life impacts how well we deal with life itself. Do we see change as an opportunity for growth, or do we desperately try to hang on to the status quo? Here are some tips to help you weather changes and smooth out the bumps in your life.

1. Expand your horizons.

Use the change to learn something. Now is the time to become
computer literate, learn to take great pictures with the camera that's on the closet shelf, or brush up on your writing skills in a creative writing class. You'll learn something new and meet people who share a common interest with you.

2. Live a healthy lifestyle.

Pay attention to the food you eat to fuel your body. Choose
protein-rich foods, whole grains, and plenty of fruits and vegetables. As food fuels your body, sleep fuels your brain. Get 7 or 8 hours a night if possible. Exercise daily. It goes a long way to making you feel better.

3. Use your support network.

When you're feeling sad, confused, or overwhelmed, don't hesitate to contact a friend or family member. Choose someone who will listen to you in a safe, non-judgmental way. Talking is a great way to lighten your load as you work through your change.

4. Volunteer.

Give your time to help others and notice how rewarding it feels.
When your life seems to be in total upheaval, helping someone else puts things in perspective. No matter how dismal things may seem, there are always plenty of people who would gladly trade places with you. Remember that.

5. List the stable things in your life.

When change is swirling all around you and you feel totally off
balance, make a list of the things in your life that remain stable. What is your daily routine? Do you wake up at the same time each morning and have coffee and read the newspaper before work? Are there favorite television shows you watch? Do you attend religious services each week? Listing the routine things you do will remind you that there is some stability in your life.

6. Take your time.

Life can change in an instant, but it takes time to adjust to the
change. If you lose your job, don't expect an immediate adjustment to your unemployed status. If you are widowed or divorced, it will take time to settle into a new routine as a single person. Understand this and allow yourself to ease into your new life situation.

7. Explore the opportunities in transition.

A door opens because another door has closed. This may be the time to investigate something major like moving from a house to a condo or maybe to another location. Perhaps you want to change your image with a makeover. What about getting involved in local politics or opening a home business? All things
are possible.

8. Keep a journal.

Keeping a journal is very therapeutic. Write about how the changes in your life are affecting you. What are your feelings? The journal is for your eyes only, so write from your heart. No censoring your entries. That defeats the purpose of journaling.

9. Take time for yourself.

Are you busy caring for others and neglecting yourself? When your life is in transition, it is important to make time for yourself. To function effectively, you must come from a place of wholeness. We all have the same 24 hours every day. Make yourself a priority, even if you have to set something else aside. If necessary, schedule a daily appointment with yourself and keep it.

10. Grieve for what you are losing.

Any change involves the loss of something. Give yourself
permission to grieve for what you are losing no matter how trivial others may think it is. This is something you must get through in a way that is meaningful to you so that you can move forward without regret.