I don’t know if it’s because I’m getting older or if people have always said it, but I feel like I’m hearing , “Age is just a number” a lot more than I used to.

And while It’s true, age is just a number, as I grow older there are times when that number feels more daunting, more full of the unpredictable vagaries of being human and the certainty that this journey of life is a one-way ticket to the end of the line  

Which is why, if age truly is just a number, we must choose to life as if it’s not the number of years we’ve been on this earth that matter most, but how we live them, learn from them and grow through them that makes a difference.

I like to believe I choose not to let age define me. Though, as my 70^th birthday fast approaches, I am more conscious of the number than I’ve been before. What does it mean to be turning 70? What will life bring?

I find myself standing in front of the mirror more often looking at the lines, wondering how to hide the shadows and the evidence of my years on earth growing stronger on my face.

Which is the interesting part of this age.  Up until now, I took my face for granted. I took the future for granted too. In the past, it seemed more predictable, reliable. After having my first attack of inflammatory arthritis, the fact aging brings with it its own surprises is kind of front and centre in my mind.

It’s time to shake it up!

It’s time to remember, the number doesn’t make my life any different. I do! 

It means answering the question, How will I live my life? requires me to stop fixating on growing older so that I can turn my attention to living fully this moment now, unburdened by thouhts of life’s inevitable ending chapter.

It’s entirely up to me how I live today and my days to come. I can either perceive aging as a daunting process, allowing the little creaks in my joints or the physical changes in and on my body to limit my joy, or I can embrace a different perspective.

I refuse to let age dampen my spirits. Instead, I choose to cherish every moment and relish the freedom of choice I possess. It’s tempting to believe that growing older only brings hardships, but I challenge that notion. I celebrate the journey I’ve been on and the wisdom I’ve gained along the way.

I am the sole curator of my joy. I have the power to shape my life and stay true to myself, regardless of what others think or the doubts that creep into my mind. I won’t let them interfere with the pure, exquisite joy and privilege of being alive right now, in a world bursting with endless possibilities. A world where there is so much I want to achieve, so many things I don’t want to leave undone and so many experiences I want to taste.

In this vast world, there is room for exploration, learning, and growth, regardless and because of, my age. Each day presents an opportunity to pursue my dreams and push beyond the limits I once believed confined me. I won’t allow fear or self-imposed limitations to hold me back. Instead, I revel in the freedom to embrace my true self and wholeheartedly pursue my passions.

The fact is, age and its corresponding number, are merely signposts on the map of life—a reminder of the remarkable journey we embarked upon with the moment of our birth. It’s up to each of us to infuse each step with purpose and meaning, celebrating the small victories and embracing the grand adventures. I choose to fully embrace the sheer brilliance of existence and make the most of every single moment.

After all, age is just a number, but the way I live that number—that’s my choice.