Why I'm Changing it Up This 4th of July

I don’t know about you, but holidays have taken on a new, more personal, meaning for me as I’ve aged. I noticed I’m re-focusing from partying to personal growth.

Take the Fourth of July.

Traditionally, July 4th has been an easy holiday for me. With my eyes closed, I can reach out to friends, plan festivities with the best food and drink and provide an atmosphere of fellowship and fun.

Why I’ve decided to do things differently this Fourth.

Last week, I sat down, turned off my monkey mind and settled into an open and receptive stillness. Then I let my mind re-live past July 4^th celebrations and the activities associated with them.

I was surprised to see a pattern unfold.

The common theme that wove its way through almost all past July 4ths was the lack of any sense of what the holiday truly represented for me. It seems I’ve spent more time partying and less time on the significance of freedom in my life.

This realization led me to break with the tradition of hosting or attending a BBQ or other get-together this year. Instead, I’m going to re-connect with July 4th in an introspective, more personal way.

What does this mean? I’m going to personalize this July 4th by identifying and celebrating ALL the freedoms available to me, not by just acknowledging our nation’s breaking away from the motherland -- with food and drink in my hand.

In fact, by spending time consciously appreciating all the personal freedoms that our founding fathers fought so hard for, I am not only filled with gratitude for my life, I feel I am paying proper homage to them for their monumental sacrifice.

I will be celebrating the rich blessings of freedom in my life.

On a more intimate level, here’s what I came up with for a truer meaning of freedom in my life:

The Unexpected Benefits of Being Quiet

Do you have this problem?

You’re with a friend, and all of a sudden there’s a momentary lapse in the conversation. Instead of just sitting with the silence, you find yourself immediately chattering on about some random thing neither of you cares about. Or worse, saying something inane you’ll regret later.

Being quiet is so uncomfortable you’ve just got to fill that space.

If this is you, be kind to yourself. Like most of us of a certain age, you were probably brought up to believe it’s the polite thing to do to not let conversation lag. That it’s up to you to keep the ball rolling.

Conversation (and words) were huge in my family. I was taught to be charming, show off my verbal acumen, my humor and my ability to engage others. As a result, I sometimes never shut up.

Being truly present with others

It has taken me years to learn to be comfortable in the silence.
In return,

10 Quotes About Aging That Will Inspire You to Live More Fully

          Over the years, there have been great thinkers and role models who have spoken eloquently about aging. I admire their ability to reshape our thinking with simple statements, and I share ten of my favorites with you today.

     “None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.” 
               ~Henry David Thoreau

     “Know that you are the perfect age. Each year is special 
     and precious for you shall only live it once. Be comfort-
     able with growing older.” 
               ~Louise Hay

     “Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but 
     beautiful old people are works of art.” 
               ~Eleanor Roosevelt

     “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream 
     a new dream.” 
               ~C.S. Lewis

     “The age of a woman doesn’t mean a thing. The best 
     tunes are played on the oldest fiddles.” 
               ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

     “We don’t stop playing because we grow old. We grow 
     old because we stop playing.”  
               ~George Bernard Shaw

     "Aging is an inevitable process. I surely wouldn’t want 
     to grow younger. The older you become, the more you 
     know; your bank account of knowledge is much richer.”
               ~William Holden

     “Those who love deeply never grow 
     old, they may die of old age, but they 
     die young.” 
               ~Ben Franklin

     “There is a foundation of youth: it is 
     your mind, your talents, the creativity 
     you bring to your life and the lives of
     people you love. When you learn to 
     tap these sources, you will truly have defeated age.” 
               ~Sophia Loren

     "One of the benefits of being a mature well-educated 
     woman is that you’re not afraid of expletives. And you 
     have no fear to put a fool in his place.” 
               ~Judi Dench

          Do these statements inspire you as they do me? What favorites of your own might you add ? I am compelled to add my own statement to this list:

      “These just might be the best years of your life.” 
               ~Antonia Albany

Contact Antonia at antoniasseniormoments@hotmail.com or
  Antonia's Senior Moments on Facebook