Tuesday, December 11, 2007

From My Good Friend Echomouse

Echomouse is one of the smarter people around. She doesn't try to fool herself, so she doesn't try to fool anyone else either. It's uncommon to find that trait in a friend these days, so I tend to think I'm kind of lucky. We became friends last year, then we both had perfectly horrible 2007s. I have started to pull out of the misery of the year, in fact, I have found myself to be the normal amount of upset at coming home to find a $40 speeding ticket issued by a camera for doing 34 mph in a 25 mph zone. This occurred as the zone changed to a 35 mph zone, I evidently sped up too fast. Not the end of the World. Same thing happened to Judy. Local governments are getting creative in raising money. But I digress, I suspect that the two of us are starting to move on with our lives as we approach the first anniversary of some bad events.

So when I opened my mail, and I got a piece of e mail from E.M., and it was George Carlin discussing age, I read the whole thing. I am going to share it with you because of the insight that Carlin brings to subjects. Carrie's writing is mixed in. It's all worthwhile.

George Carlin on aging!
(Absolutely Brilliant)

IF YOU DON'T READ THIS TO THE VERY END, YOU HAVE LOST A DAY IN YOUR LIFE. AND WHEN YOU HAVE FINISHED, DO AS I AM DOING AND SEND IT ON.

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 than 10 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 MAKE it to 60.

You've built up so much speed that you 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 NOT to where the guilt is.

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

Carrie, I love you! And the rest of you too!

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

15 comments:

Nosjunkie said...

hahaha that is great CEO ABSOLUTLEY FAB.
and so true
I love you all

Lee said...

Oh I like that last line...gotta keep that one.

Glamourpuss said...

Lovely. Here's to a better 2008. 2007 has been a bag of shite.

Puss

M@ said...

I got a ticket yesterday one minute after the meter expired. I yelled at the guy and chased him down in my car.

Wicked H said...

Can you feel the love tonight?


:-)

MrsG said...

Roll on 2008! Happy Holidays my friend.

Odat said...

That was just fanfuckingtastic!

Thanks for passing it along...
Peace

Echomouse said...

I love you too and all your awesome readers! This blog is always real and enlightening.

Mwahhhh!

Szarek(Will) said...

2007 to me was great...I accomplished more than I ever thought possible...but in your case...HAVE A MIGNIFICENT 2008

heartinsanfrancisco said...

These are all wonderful words to live by. After all, dying will take care of itself.

Thanks for sharing this. I've read it before, but needed a refresher.

Monty, I hope very much that 2008 is a better year for you and yours.

The CEO said...

Nosjunkie, I'm so glad you like it here.

Lee, isn't he amazing? And he cuts right through it all and gets to the heart of the matter.

Puss, on ward and upward! Care to join me? You have had a miserable year too. I wish nothing but smashing success to you too.

M@, did he take the ticket back? I guess you felt better, at least I hope you did.

Wicked, you bet I can feel the love. Can't you? Come on over!

Happy Holidays Amytree! And a Happy New Year to you too!

Odat, you are the essence of Hope Springs Eternal!

Carrie, I see a trip to the States in your future. We deserve more of you here.

Will, I hope that your 2008 is even better than your 2007 has been!

Hearts, things have already started getting better, in large part because of people like you and the rest of the blogging community. God rest ye merry souls!

Open Grove Claudia said...

That's really lovely! Thank you for sharing. I was put in a deep funk by the "oh I didn't realize you were so old" comment on my birthday. But then I realized: age is not an accomplishment, it just happens. Those proud of their youngness will get old someday. In the meantime, I'm doing things! ;)

I'm sorry your 2007 sucked. Here's to 2008!

Crankster said...

That's beautiful! And it's good to hear from you!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful! George Carlin always makes me laugh. Good advice and I agree, Echomouse is awesome.

Hoping 2008 is a great year for you and Judy!

Rick Rockhill said...

good ones. I like George Carlin, make sme crack up