Older, happier me!

I have gained some weight. Not a lot, not like, oh, say 80 lbs or anything, more like 5 or 8 lbs.

One of the key aspects to getting older, is the notion of not sweating the small stuff. Shrugging your shoulders and just letting go. Whatever!

The younger me would have had a fit. Would have fought tooth and nail over everything. Must win the battle, the war, and everything in between. The older me, not so much. Am I tired? Am I wiser? Am I laying on the ground with the stuffing beat out of me and I just can't rise anymore?

No. I'm just smarter.

I know the treadmill is waiting in the garage. The I-pod is loaded with fast paced songs that equal the amount of time I need to stay on the treadmill. The fridge has spinach, carrots, and a chicken breast awaiting a salad to be made. The 100 calorie packs are lined up like little ducks all in a row. The new exercise outfit is one size too small, so it squeezes me in all the wrong places.

All this I know. Just like I know that the weight will go back down and in all honesty will probably go back up sometime as well. Just like I know that I will feel like death on the treadmill the first few times.

Because I am older and wiser, I am content with the knowing and the doing. I don't spend so much time fighting against the ropes, I just put on my big girl panties and DO it. I know I will succeed and be happy because of it. This is what getting older has taught me. Patience, perseverance, ability, and the knowledge of how to put it all together.

Youth is good. I am reminded of youth, when I sit cross-legged for too long and get up to the sound of some large crackle sounds, which I am pretty sure, can't be good news. I like youth but truth be told, I like the age I am now just fine. I like the face that stares back at me from a mirror, lines and all. I like the body I have, even heavier than I would like to be.

I like the whole package of me. It reminds me of where I have been and where I am going. I like the comfort of age, the acceptance that I will never be a ballerina or a trapeze artist. I like knowing I am funny and kind, that I am not patient, and I tend to talk over people.

The youthful me would have been bothered and fretful about the things I am not. The older me is happy that I am here, right here and now, flaws, treadmills, salads, and all.