I'm experiencing two things at the same time that might seem Contradictory but I don't think are contradictory.

I'm slowing down in some ways, at 85, without a doubt. For instance, I don't Walk quite as fast as I once did. I still Love walking, mind you. I walk faster than some folks (but not too many). And I still enjoy walking up hills. But on the whole I'm more inclined to "amble" now than once was the case.

Then there's the gym. I still go to the gym three days a week to do resistance training, but I can't lift as much weight as I did six or seven years ago. And to change tack for a moment, I don't seem to have the energy (or the time, believe it or not:-) to blog as often as I once did. I'm still resilient, for which I'm thankful, but I'm not as resilient as I once was.

What's the old saying? "My get up and go got up and went." Something like that.

But here's where things get interesting. I find that though my body is aging, my ability to love people, and enjoy people--and talk with people--is increasing. My ability to find joy in simple things--watching a ladybug make its way cautiously along a leaf--listening to a stream surging and gurgling past some rocks--is increasing.

Most of all, I continue to become more conscious of what for me is life's greatest gift--perhaps I should say God's greatest gift--to us all.  The gift of our own ageless, joyful, eternal spirit, that nothing of the outer world can hurt or destroy, and which will bring us safely through all our travails as we listen to its quiet wisdom speaking to us in our heart.

I send love and blessings to you. I hope these thoughts and updates will be helpful or of interest, and would love to hear any comments you may like to share.