Thoughts on Getting Older, Rolling with the Punches, and Finding Meaning in the Unexpected…

Well, that really didn’t go the way I thought it would…
                                               I think this is the new subtitle for my life.

Life has a way of tossing us around, doesn’t it? Just when you think you’ve got things mapped out, something comes out of left field. A twist here, a swerve there, and you end up dodging and weaving through stuff you never saw coming. There are definitely days when I feel every year in my bones and my brain. There are also days  I feel it deep down in my soul.

Funny how we make all these plans, thinking we’ve got control, and then life just goes, “Nope, let’s do it my way.” I used to think I’d have everything figured out as I got older, but honestly, with time, I’ve just gotten better at going with the flow.

It’s those unexpected moments that get you, right? They remind us that we’re not always in the driver’s seat. At first, I want to fight it—I want things to make sense and stay on track. But eventually, I realize it’s better to just roll with it and see where it takes me. The random news that hit like a ton of bricks. The relationship slipped through my fingers but taught me  a lot about myself. Those little reminders from my body that, yeah, I’m not twenty anymore, but that’s okay. All these bumps in the road shape who we are, even if they sting in the moment.

Some days, resilience means just keeping your head up and not letting the weird stuff knock you down. It’s about showing up, laughing even when things are a mess, and trying to spot the silver lining. It’s not always about being tough, sometimes, it’s just about not giving up.

There are days my body’s tired, my mind’s scattered, and I don’t feel like the same person I was years ago. But my soul? That’s where I feel it the most. It’s heavy , weary at times, but also kind of wise, and there’s a lot of gratitude mixed in with all the tough stuff.

I have learned Life teaches us whether we want it or not. Every curveball life throws has something to teach, even if it’s not obvious right away. Sometimes the lessons sneak up on you, sometimes they hit you over the head. I reach deep for my patience when things fall apart. I know it’s best to breathe and wait it out. It almost always gets better, be patient. Humility helps remind me that life’s surprises come to teach me I’m not calling all the shots. It’s okay to ask for help or just admit I don’t know what’s next. Gratitude is in the shadows always, even on rough days, there’s usually something small that’s good, a funny text, a good meal, a friend who checks in. Connection, human connection, is a necessary and needed part of life. We do need people, and the unexpected times have shown me how much better things feel when I’m not going through them alone.

Some days, I wake up feeling every year I’ve lived. My brain feels a bit cloudier than it used to and it and my body need a little more time to get moving. But some days it’s not physical or mental—it’s my soul that feels tired. That’s a different kind of exhaustion, but it’s also where I’ve got the most stories, dreams, and memories.  Feeling “old” in your soul isn’t all bad. It’s just part of the ride. It means you’ve been through stuff, learned a lot, and have more depth than you give yourself credit for. When I’m feeling that way, I try to slow down, let myself rest a little, and remember that my soul is resilient, I am a Child of God, I am never alone. God got me, I am always going to bounce back.

Maybe all the surprises aren’t setbacks, they’re just new chapters. I’m learning as I age, that having things go sideways can lead to some of the best stuff, even if it doesn’t seem like it at the time. With age comes perspective, I guess. Disappointment isn’t the end; it’s just a plot twist. As a wordsmith, all of this can be seen as part of the process.

When life throws me for a loop, I’ve got a few things , I call my reset buttons, that help me get back on track. Walking outside and letting my thoughts wander. Jotting things down in a journal or writing a poem to get them out of my head.   Listening to music that feels right for the moment or invokes a new thought.             Reaching out to someone who gets it, gets me. At times just sitting quietly and just letting things settle. These little rituals don’t fix everything, but they help me keep moving.

Today wasn’t a total mess, just not what I planned, but that’s just how it goes sometimes. The best stories don’t stick to the script anyway. I’m learning to be a little kinder to myself and others, to let myself feel what I feel, and to know that getting older—body, mind, and soul—isn’t a bad thing.

As Scarlett said, “Tomorrow is another day”. There might be more weird twists, more things to duck and weave around, but I’ll be here for it, God willing… Just learning and evolving, and hopefully, finding a little joy along the way. My soul might be tired, but it’s still kicking—and that’s enough for now. So, here’s to the unexpected… Here’s to continuing the journey, and for the sunshine and cool breeze God sent to ease my disappointment today.