GO ON, GET OLD!

Today is my birthday, and I have a birthday wish for you: Get old.

I really, truly hope you get old. Really old. Worn out, exceeding expectations, wrinkled-and-wise old.

This is on my mind not only because it is my birthday, but because lately I've heard people telling those who are much younger than they are "Don't get old!"

No one means it literally.. That would mean early death and heartbreak. I get that they say it as a gentle and humorous way of letting off steam about their own aching joints, memory lapses, and muscles that motor more slowly than they used to. That's happening to me, too.

Even so, I want to get OLD! And I want that for my children, and their children and all my loved ones my friends. It's a gift denied to so many.

There's no denying that with age comes loss. But then again, youth has its own challenges. If you're lucky enough to get old,  you've a survivor. You've learned thingsIf you're old, you have gained far more than you lost. And in the (literal) end, your exit from this earth is completely out of your control anyway.

This year, my gift to myself is to strive harder to be present to my life. What better gift? I want to savor every moment with the people I hold dear. I want to connect deeply with people so they that become dear to me. I want to recognize life's challenges for what they are — momentary pain that provide opportunities for a little humility, learning. and personal growth. I want to immerse myself in love and gratitude. 

I want to get old without apology.

When I blow out my birthday candles, I will wish that for you, too, no matter what your age. I will wish for you a rich life filled with sparkling, mindful moments, and enough challenges to make you grateful for the good times.

And I will hold the vision of you and I getting old.  Really, really old.

A GOOD TRY WORKS EVEN WHEN IT DOESN'T

The first newspaper I worked for as a freshly minted journalist had a monthly bulletin that doled out kudos and critiques to the writers and editors.

We would applaudcolleagues for snappy headlines, compelling writing, and beating the competition on a hot news story.  The staff wasinvited to nominate the best news and feature articles, and the final winners were chosen by a rotating committee. This also helped shine a light on the unsung heroes of the copy desk, which highlightedmistakes caught before our readers ever saw them in print, and helped us learn what not to do again. The mistakes that did get through weren't ignored, nor were other areas that needed improvement. Everyone was encouraged to contribute.

One of the monthly “awards” I have learned to particularly appreciate over the years was called The Good Try that Didn’t Work.

Our editor, Max Jennings, believed passionately in helping people on staff try something different. Whether we were crafting a story, photographing a news event, or designing a page, Max didn’t want us to be afraid to butt our heads against perceived boundaries. He didn't believe in playing it safe.

 One of his favorite sayings was, “If it ain’t broke, let’s break it so we can fix it.” So the Good Try That Didn't Work was a way to celebrate attempts to push beyond our comfort zones, even when those attempts fell flat. His influence fostered one of the most dynamic, creative, passionate organizations I have ever worked in.

I was reminded of this when I saw that Seth Godin had released a book called Poke the Box.

In a Q&A published on his Amazon book page, he says that conformity once was crucial to success, but compliance has become a killer in today’s competitive world. “We need to be nudged away from conformity and toward ingenuity. Even if we fail … we learn what not to do by experience and doing the new.”

So take the initiative to try something completely different. Maybe, if you're lucky, it will be a mistake and you'llhave a reason to celebrate and learn.