Do not Grow Old

Many people are afraid of growing old. I'm afraid of growing old
and boring. Many people are afraid of growing old, alone. I'm
afraid of growing old, insane. Many people are afraid of losing
their looks. I'm afraid of losing my dreams. Many people are afraid
of losing 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 - two decades zoom past
and before you know it, it's only a mile to the next millennium.
Don't' fear age- it's a right of personhood. Don't fear death- it's
God's greatest 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 you think your genes are
superior. Don't separate because you think it's fashionable. Don't
drink because you have troubles. Don't gamble because you think
winning is inevitable. Don't philander because you think you'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 buy your way into the kingdom of God.
Don't dictate because you're smarter. Don't demand because you're
stronger. Don't sleep around because you think you're old enough and
know better. Don't hurt your kids because loving them is harder.

Don't sell your self, your family or your ideals.
Don't stagnate. Don't regress. Learn a new skill. Find a new
friend. Start a new career. Don't live in the past. Time can't
bring anything or anyone back. Don't put your life on hold for
possibly Mr. Right. Don't throw you life away on absolutely Mr. .
Wrong because your biological clock is ticking and you can't afford
to have your eggs harvested before the new millennium.

There's always a mad rush to something, somewhere but victory does
not always belong to those who finish first. Sometimes, there is no
race to be won only a price to be paid for some of life's more
hasty decisions. You can't always go with the throng who could be
wrong. Sometimes, you have to be alone to be enlightened.

To terminate your loneliness, reach out to the homeless. To feed
your nurturing instincts, care for the needy. To fulfill your
parenting fantasies, get a puppy. Don't bring another life into
this world for all the wrong reasons. To keep yourself warm, buy a
jacket. In the long-run, it will be less complicated and less
costly. To make yourself happy, pursue your passions and be the
best of what you can be.

Simplify your life. Take away the clutter. Get rid of destructive
elements - abusive friends, nasty habits and dangerous liaisons.
Don't abandon your responsibilities but don't overdose on duty.
Don't live life recklessly without thought and feeling for your
family. Be true to yourself. Don't commit when you're not ready.

Don't keep others waiting needlessly. Fall in love - it's the
greatest thing on earth. But take care and remember, after the fall
must come the rise.

Go on that trip. Don't postpone it. Say those words. Don't let the
moment pass. Do what you must even at society's scorn. Write
poetry. Love deeply. Walk barefoot. Hold hands. Dance with wild
abandon. Cry at the movies. Take care of yourself. Don't wait for
someone to take care of you. You light up your life. You drive
yourself to your destination. No one completes you - except you.

It is true that life doesn't get easier with age. It only gets more
challenging. Don't be afraid. Don't lose your capacity to love.

Pursue your passions. Live your dreams. Don't lose faith in God.
Don't grow old. Just grow up.


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