I’ve already arranged my mind; 71st year of life will be glorious

I will turn 70 years old before this month is over.  It seems the birthdays that end in 0 are thought of as “the big ones” – something to be dreaded or mourned. 

No dread or mourning here.  Why not? Because I’ve arranged my mind.

A friend told me of a 92-year-old man, legally blind, who made arrangements to move to a nursing home after his wife of 70 years died.

A nurse welcomed him and as the two of them began walking toward his room, she described to him what his room would be like.  

"I love it," he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.

"Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait."

"That doesn't have anything to do with it," he replied.  "Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time.  Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged ... it's how I arrange my mind.  I’ve already decided to love it.

I have already decided to love being 70 and I have learned some valuable lessons that will keep my life simple. 

Nobody likes to be told what to do and people are just about as happy as they decide to be. I am not so concerned about what other people think, and I trust my own judgment about what is right for me.  I know I will make mistakes, but I also know I can learn from them, and I’ve become good at forgiving myself – others, too.

I delight in warm hugs, kissing slowly and laughing uncontrollably.   I have learned that being vulnerable doesn’t mean I am powerless, being afraid doesn’t mean I am not courageous and uncertainty doesn’t mean I am lost. 

I have arranged my mind, so that I expect my 70th year to be glorious.  Free of disappointments, losses and problems?  Of course not, but I will have some glorious moments just the same.