Truly, I jest. I know exactly where the time went. I have a theory that helps slow the progression of time a little bit, but I’ll get to that in a minute.
I felt it when I woke up this morning. I did another triathlawn yesterday, so that made for 68 miles cycling, golf, tennis, 38 miles cycling, cut the grass, and more tennis in two days. It’s been more than a decade since I could get away with that level of activity without paying for it.
I didn’t get much done on the grass cutting front, either. You know how it is, though, when your teenager daughters look at you and say, “Dad, will you play tennis with us?”… friends, there just aren’t many of those days left so I’m going to take every one I can get.
My wife, unbeknownst to me, took a video of me playing “don’t claw my entire hand off” with the cat on the refrigerator – his favorite game next to “hey, you pet me while I eat, sucker.” She played the video back for me and I was amazed at how gray I’d gotten… Wow. On the other side of that equation is a full freakin’ head of hair. No balding patch in the back, so I’ll take that!
Everything good I have, I owe to my Higher Power and my recovery, and this wonderful weekend was one of those occasions to look back and thank God I got what I did and not what I could have if I’d chosen the other path. Most people say something along the lines, “alcohol and/or drugs took everything from me!” I’m not one of those – I don’t subscribe to a passive role. I gave everything up without even an inkling of a fight. It’s the difference between being a victim and accepting my role in it. I’m no victim.
One thing is certain, I wouldn’t be on the right side of the grass right now if I’d chosen different. My parents would have buried me because my liver just couldn’t keep up with me.
I can remember when I was younger, say 20, I just hoped I’d make it to 50. I never thought I’d get there doing it right.
It’s good to be me, recovered.
So, my trick to slowing time down ever so slightly. This is not easy, so come in a little closer so we can keep this betwixt us… I’ve learned to enjoy every minute I possibly can. The theory is perfect, but I’m not so I have to continually work on it. That’s my trick, though – and the more I practice it, the more enjoying life becomes my default, the more fun it is, the happier I am, and the more time slows.
And that’s when it gets really good. One day at a time is all I’ve got, but if I can put a few of those together, before I know it, I’ve got something.
Fit Recovery 
50 is awesome!!! I’m now living my best life at 54. Enjoy the ride 😊
I absolutely am. Thanks!
50 that’s a bit of a milestone birthday!
Yes indeed. I’m pretty excited for this one.
😎
It takes forever for a day to pass. Decades pass in the blink of and eye.
I know that’s right, John!
That’s a good theory, and it works well. I have a variation called the ‘watched kettle’ theory; put the kettle on. Watch it for 10 seconds. Get frustrated. Go off and try and do another small task that will take slightly longer than boiling the kettle (feeding the cat might work), and then see how suddenly your perspective changes on the way you view available time.
Enjoy 50 and your full head of hair. I shave my head now. I used to be a long-haired rocker with hair down to my bum.
And to your continued sobriety: I’ve a sneaking feeling God is up there saying ‘couldn’t have done it without you, Jim’.
I hope you’re right, my friend.
And it’s hard to imagine you with long hair! Ah, the good ole’ days!
I’ll root out some pics
I’ve got some photos my wife kept of me and a mullet, but there’s no way, brother. They’re getting lost down the memory hole!
Mullet pics to be destroyed on sight 😉
💕
I love your attitude of gratitude! 💕👍🏻
Me too! LOL!!! 😁
I feel your pain. My youngest daughter hit the big 50 in February! Try being me. lol
LOL! Thanks for putting it in perspective for me!
Enjoy this time. It is the best time. Make a boatload of memories you can blog share later, like I do.