My 50th
I’m 50 – this time around.
I’ve run into strangers whom I know I know. We stop and stare at each other a moment with an uncertain smile and a glint of recognition in the eyes. Often he or she will say something like, “Don’t I know you”? and more than once they’ll greet me by name – always the same name – as if remembering me from a different life. A light lingering in the eyes is all that’s left. Does this suggest that I’ve been here before, leading a different life with other friends and family? And if so, and if someone should ask me how old I am, should I reply, “I’m 50 – this time around”? I guess it doesn’t matter. Although, it would be a useful conversation staller. The inquisitor would be bewildered just long enough for me to turn and walk away or to strike up conversation with a startled bystander. Well, even were it so, everything is different now … and the ball keeps spinning.
I sometimes imagine that what’s come before and what lies ahead is of great significance. Then I step up above the spinning ball and find there’s no 49 hidden just behind or any 51 lurking ahead. Back on the ball I take a look at my surroundings, shift the load, adjust the tilt, steer in some forward direction and off I go. I bump, I bounce and I collide with others, and it’s often an eventful ride … but not always.
Nevertheless, I admit to evolution with every revolution: I’ve come to know that the more I know, the more I know I don’t know and that I have access to all knowledge, I’ve seen beliefs become strictures, teaching inhibit learning, thinking devise stupidity and truth change with context, (Making judgement something of a conundrum and belief a suit of clothes) but most of all I’ve seen that the ball keeps turning … and that I’m 50 – this time around.
Comments
Well then HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY!!! Nicely written, well said. Sir Richard…life is just beginning. This is the best years of our lives…live it and stay on the roller coaster. If life were always sweet…. you won’t know your good and bad time!s How boring would that be…. if it was always a smooth ride. So hold on and go for the ride of your life!!
Regards
Debra
Yes, it is a wonderful ride, and I agree with your ideas about contrast and diversity. It’s a bit harder sometimes to appreciate those aspects we don’t like, but it’s well worth making the effort. Thank you so much for your wonderful comments :-)
– Richard G Witham
Dear Richard,
Happy L Birthday (in Roman numbers):)
It is my privilege to see you as an artist, supporter, friend here and I wish you to be around for a long, long time. Hope your day is full of smiles and nice surprises:))
Kisses,
Vesna
Oh yes, I like Roman numerals, so practical. I’ll have to paste this one on my ball :D
Thank you so much for your nice comments and good wishes :-)
– Richard G Witham
Happy Birthday Richard! I’ve been there, seen it, done it – five years ahead of you!! Great write up about life as we know or don’t know it! Wishing you many happy snappy returns! ;O) x
Thank you very much Krys for your attention and wonderful comments :-)
– Richard G Witham
Gosh I loved reading every line of this Richard..
Happy day my friend, your attitude and wonder of life inspires me!
Thank you very much Lina for these wonderful comments :-)
– Richard G Witham
Well said, Richard. I often stop to contemplate how I have changed as my life has progressed, but you have articulated it far better then me.
What a nice comment. Thank you so much :-)
– Richard G Witham
Richard I couldn’t have said it better! You have such a wonderful way of conveying your thoughts and insights. Welcome to the I’m 50 this time around club!! Hope you have a very, very happy birthday and a wonderful year!
Thank you so much for welcoming me to the club and for your nice wishes :-)
– Richard G Witham
Gosh, it is just not fair that you are younger.
I will forgive you for letting me know…..DARN.
I love that you have done what I thought I would do……reflect on what the heck it’s all about. 50 does seem big, huge…….common we have to have learned something along the way……..and we did, but yet we didn’t……….I can relate, all to well I am afraid. I love the thought of belief being a suit of clothes. As it should be in my mind. We should never feel that our beliefs are permanent……there is always room for change for growth for reworking what we thought that out fit should look like.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICHARD!!!! So glad I caught this brilliant piece of writing.
I will need to revisit as I need to contemplate this yet again.
LOVE IT!!
Thank you Elizabeth for these wonderful comments. Yes, 50 seems like a big one this time. I agree about the suit of clothes. The best thing about it is that we can change the suit if we want to, maybe a little more room in the waist :-) Well, there are some beliefs that are harder to change, but I think it’s worth the effort when we really know what we want and what helps us achieve a joyful being. We should always be comfortable, so wear whatever fits right & feels good.
– Richard G Witham
I am so glad I came by to read your writing ~ the last paragraph rings so very true ~ for by 50 (which I am a couple of years past too now) is the entry to this kind of understanding and what I call wisdom…and am enjoying the wonder and freedom of it all ~ and deeper in love & appreciation for these years lived…Happy Birthday dear Richard ~ this one is a keeper! xxx
Thank you so much for dropping by and for these thoughtful comments Linda. It’s interesting to look back and see how much has changed simply because of one’s own understanding.
– Richard G Witham
I am early 40’s but my brain thinks its 50! totally got this, love the title :)
Thanks for reading my playful musing here Ang :-)
– Richard G Witham
you and i…looks like we turned 50 at about the same time. i pondered what that meant exactly at the time…i can assure you that i came up with nothing as poignant, thought provoking or as deep as this. my mind is now spinning faster than the ball…..outstanding work richard
Yes; it does keep spinning, doesn’t it? Best to hang on and enjoy the ride – resistance just makes you seasick :-)
– Richard G Witham
Thanks again for the fave’s and great comments :-)
– Richard G Witham