Starting the Day (Slowly)

When I was in my twenties and thirties, I was a morning person. I suppose that was because I (thought) I knew who I was, where I was going and what I wanted from life. And I will admit that is partially because I have been a fortunate man. Although my life hadn’t been trouble free, the good had outweighed the bad by a considerable margin. Being young, I thought my good fortune was entirely self-made. Morning consisted of waking up, getting ready for work (or play on weekends) then diving right in. Yes, there were good days and bad days but it was a formula that seemed to work for Younger Eyes.

By the time I reached my mid-forties, some morning adjustments were necessary. Looking back, it is hard to say whether these adjustments were indicated by changes in my life or by increased awareness of things that had always been there. Faced with stress and a need for something spiritual in my life, I took Transcendental Meditation and began stopping on the way to work to meditate. I began accumulating self-help book to read in the morning, and, once I joined a 12-Step group, I added prayers to a Higher Power I wasn’t sure I believed in. A book on recovering your Inner Artist, The Artist’s Way, introduced me to the daily freeform journaling known as Morning Pages which became part of my morning routine. That routine took about an hour to an hour and a half. As often happens when we rummage around in our psyches in our forties, I began to question things I took for granted about life. Some needed questioning and some should have been left alone. It is probably safe to say I had a mild to medium mid-life crisis but it seems to have changed me for the better.

So, here I am approaching 75. I am still working as a consultant (very part time) and I have been writing regularly for years, mostly here. I paint, draw and take photographs (much of my work can be found on my blog, Artsy). I consider myself a writer and artist, which is to say, The Artist’s Way did indeed restore my inner artist. I have a small family and a small cadre of friends that make life both worthwhile and interesting. My health is good (knock, knock) but continually requires attention. People tell me I’m very spiritual but I don’t always feel it so that requires attention, too. I consider myself a fortunate man but looking down the shortening road ahead and considering decisions we need to make can be harrowing. My Morning Practice has grown to occupy most of the morning:

• Morning Pages
• Written prayer (letter to God)
• Gratitude list
• Meditation books (Courage to Change, Quiet Mind and Journey to the Heart)
• Morning Prayers
• Morning meds and vitamins
• Back and leg stretches
• Meditation

During the day, I try to walk at least 6000 steps, reach out to a friend and work on at least one creative project. I guess it’s no surprise, that like an old car, I require more maintenance as I grow older. Since I tend to sleep in these days, it’s sometimes noon before I face the world. Which is fine. This 21st century world can be a confounding place for someone with Older Eyes.

Have a great weekend.

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Tags: aging, feeling older, Life, philosophy, spirituality

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