Getting Older

Here is my seventh photo/essay in my current photography/writing project. It’s called

Getting Older

I went to my thesaurus this morning to look for other words for aging. Many of the words I found were neither encouraging nor up-lifting. There were words like declining, crumbling, debilitation, decrepitude, degenerating, deteriorating, failing, slumping, worsening, fading, waning, and wearing out.

Some of those words are probably true about the aging process. I’m certainly feeling changes in my body that are not always pleasant or easy.

But there is more than that to aging. I believe that I am also maturing, evolving, mellowing, ripening, growing, and becoming wiser. One thing I know is that I am more content and happy now than I’ve ever been in my life. Part of that is because I no longer go to work at a job every day. But even more is related to simply being older and able to have a larger perspective than I did when I was younger.

When I look back on my life I cannot find a single thing I would change, not one single thing! Every action, every choice, every chance meeting, even the most difficult of times, brought me to where I am today. I wouldn’t take the chance of removing one tiny thread of my experiences for fear of unraveling the great joy I now experience in my life.

Each life is interwoven with joy and sorrow, challenge and respite, love and loss. My wish for everyone is that they experience more joy than sorrow, just enough challenge, respite when they need it, abundant love, and acceptance of the inevitable losses that occur during the journey.

Over a decade ago I chose to focus on choosing joy every single day. That choice changed my life. Almost every day I do what I love, spending time in nature, making photographs and writing. I realize that I am living a very privileged life, not needing to continue to work into my old age, having a beautiful place to live, and being white, well-educated, and straight in a sadly still racist and homophobic country.

Making Choices

Even now after the disappointing 2024 election results, I am working hard on choosing joy and connection over anger and disconnection. It is often challenging.

Being uncertain about what the future will bring, I feel as if I am doing anticipatory grieving for the world, our country, people of color, LGBTQ friends and family, and more. I am preparing to bear witness to what is good and what is harmful, what is beautiful and what is ugly, hoping that I can tip the scale even a little bit towards the good and the beautiful.

Each day I ask myself, “How do I live through these challenging times?” And the answer as it so often is, “One moment at a time.” I also ask myself, “What is the next right thing to do?” And then I try to do that thing, whatever it is. Small things done by many people can accumulate and make a huge positive difference.

Much of what I do is aimed at helping the next generations find meaning, hope, and beauty, and protecting the earth and the rights that so many fought hard to win. I feel as if I have been abundantly blessed in this life of mine. Now it is time to give back and shine a light towards what is healing, whole, and right. No one knows which tiny action might tip the scales towards truth and light. Millions of tiny acts of love will shine like candles in a dark night.

Wishing you blessings for your journey.

May you walk in beauty.