Being 75 and the new normal
Take a look at https://johnquill.substack.com/ for my latest recording with my reflections at the grand old age of 75.
And I’d like to offer two questions you might want to reflect on and maybe comment on below.
What “normal” things in life do you take for granted and could you be more grateful for?
What “normal” things are going on in your life or around you that you might choose to challenge because they are not true or not acceptable?
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This weekend was my 75th birthday. Yes, I’ve been around for three quarters of a century. That feels rather special to be here on this planet for three quarters of a century.
And yet, of course, certainly in this country most people sail past 75 into their 80s, and for many many into their 90s now, so nothing particularly special about being 75. And not an achievement because i’ve just been here i haven’t achieved anything, i haven’t done anything to get here, other than i’ve just been around.
But what comes up for me is something about how things become normalized and then expected and how that’s becoming a bit of a creed i think in this present generation.
It’s not that long ago that people wouldn’t live as old as 75. Most people wouldn’t live older than 75, the average age. Not long ago 65 was the average. And before that, it was even younger that people would be dying.
So we’ve changed things. And we get so caught up in our day-to-day “normal” lives and I, for one, dread the thought of the tap not bringing water in or the WIFI not working, all those things, part of the new norm.
So let’s be aware and mindful and do our best to be our best, whatever that is, but don’t have a norm against which we are somehow measuring ourselves. I actually want to take that word back, best. Best version of ourselves yes when we can, and when we can’t, and when we don’t, and aren’t well, keep loving yourself, keep taking care of yourself and those around you. Now that’s a good way to live isn’t it as best we can?
Anyway happy birthday to me and bye for now.
