Monday Morning Wake-Up Call

Posted on by Live & Learn

Now that I’m deep in my 80s, I’d like to stay here forever, and I’ll certainly try. I enjoy being here. The decade is the October of aging. And October is a lovely month, don’t you think? […]

Things I can’t do any more: Run. Play basketball or tennis. I also can’t worry myself to death, or I choose not to. Before my October years, there seemed to be nothing, however inconsequential, that I could not stew over until it grew as big and menacing as Godzilla at night. Nothing was too trivial for my troubled mind. No small rejection. Not the slightest slight. I once came up with a rule, “Nobody’s thinking about you — they are thinking about themselves, just like you.” I wrote it but I didn’t believe it. Now I hardly care if anyone is thinking about me, or not. Hardly.

My love of nature has grown much deeper in this decade. I had always felt an affinity with the natural world, but it was general, casual and fleeting. These days you can catch me at the window, gazing in wonder at the East River (estuary technically), and mesmerized by the shapes in the blue-gray water, the welts and eddies, the tides, the invading armies of the waves, the clouds reflected, looking like submerged sheep.

It’s not what you do in this decade that’s so unusual, or what you think, but rather how you think. The air changes in October. I find myself thinking far less selfishly, giving much more of myself to my friends and family. […]

The general improvement is this: In my younger years I was always looking ahead for whatever would befall me. Now I look at what I have. And as those in their 80s appreciate, what one has is considerable. I don’t fear winter, and I don’t regret spring. […]

— Roger Rosenblatt, excerpts “I Don’t Fear Winter, and I Don’t Regret Spring” (NY Times, October 26, 2025)

36 thoughts on “Monday Morning Wake-Up Call”

  2. Need a ‘love’ button, please…So interesting to read about his journey. I think – if we are wiling to take a look both inside and out – there are still seminal, affirming moments to experience. Perhaps edges are rounder, a tree that is in my yard is getting the attention it deserves, the way that music is transpirational and encourages me to have faith. Great, thoughtful post today, Thank you

  4. Love this! Indeed, goals change.. There’s time before my 80s, so I am doing what I can to physically/sentiently last long enough to see a currently 4yr old granddaughter graduate from high school. 👍

  5. We should not have to wait until we are in our 80s to understand the wisdom and importance of the words in this post.

    I can’t describe what I am feeling in a few words here, but the human race needs to fundamentally change the definition of what is “important, valuable, and necessary“ as we travel this journey called “life“.

    We need to start teaching our children a completely new value system… Starting from birth.

    Let’s start with ditching the following:
    Worshiping money.
    Worshiping power.
    Worshiping status.
    Assuming that “mother earth“ can heal herself, regardless of how much damage we do to her.

    Let’s replace those things with:
    – Taking care of each other… I mean “the ENTIRE human tribe“. Regardless of how different we all are. (Race, sexual orientation, disability, values, and on and on…)
    – Accepting that we will not always agree, but that it is OK to “agree to disagree“ and find compromise… without going to war.
    – Taking care of mother Earth.
    – Understanding and appreciating the importance, beauty and wonder of mother Earth right from birth.

    We shouldn’t have to wait until we are in our 80s to learn how to take care of each other, and our planet. We should have all of this figured out by age 21 (or pick your favorite number).

    Peace Everyone. – Paul

        1. This goes without saying, but I will say it anyway, because I just had to remind MYSELF of this fundamental concept: If, starting right now, we ALL make a conscious and consistent effort to “walk the walk“ (live according to our beliefs),… we can start making our world a better place. It’s easy to feel helpless as individuals, but together we can lead by example and begin to make positive changes.

          Have a great Tuesday everyone… And if anyone sees Caleb… Spread the word on Wednesday! My instincts tell me that Caleb can help inspire us to “walk the walk“. 🙂

  10. “Nobody’s thinking about you — they are thinking about themselves.” He adds, ‘just like you.’ Honestly, and it’s probably a woman thing, but I don’t think about myself much at all.

    After contemplating his words, I am already coming to these things now, in my 70s, rather than waiting until my 80s. But better late than never, always.

    No, I can’t run anymore, but I would if I had to. Playing tennis? Sure, if I put my mind to it and did some arm curls. But these things are very specific, certainly one can walk and walk quickly, and do things like cycling or swimming. But ultimately, I get his point, the body does slow down. Good quote, overall, imho. 🙏♥️

    1. Hi Bela. You need to start a therapy class – you would be oversubscribed! I’d be first in line about not thinking about myself! Hope you are well. Dave

      1. Haha, yes. Like I said, it may simply be a woman thing. We are raised as caretakers, we care take our children and our husbands, blah blah blah. Don’t be too hard on yourself! 💗

          1. Now that maybe something that both genders struggle with. Self-worth crosses that line pretty easily. One day you’ll look at this all – in retrospect – and you’ll just shake your head at the years that we’ve wasted beating ourselves up. Imua! (i’ll keep you busy for a second, you can look that one up.) 😉

  12. This is beautiful looking way, but dear David, I didn’t know your age, I can’t believe how did you come to 80s… Be happy and healthy, life is running with us, or without us. I will feel always lucky to be here, with your beautiful posts. Thank you, Much Love, nia

      1. I am glad I misunderstood. Stay young always. Healthy and Happy. You are welcome, Thank you, Love, nia

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