As we get older we tend to lose more and more, like persistent waves might erode the shoreline. It’s the natural evolution of life that our bodies lose the sculpted beauty, that our fire becomes less hot, or that we lose more of our childhood heroes to illness or death. It’s still shocking to me to see rock stars that I loved as a kid look so old, or to hear of the death of someone I admired so much growing up. I tell myself in the mirror that it’s only a matter of time, no holding back the ocean’s tide. Honestly, I struggle to see the youthful face I once possessed without the darker aging spots, permanent lines, tired eyes and white facial hairs.

I hate the way age precedes me, setting the tone of who I am, or should be, before I ever speak. Further over, aches and pains mean the loss of energy or function, and I sure have my share these days, as the bullish young strength I had is only a memory. However, through the inevitable erosion, the creative mind will find ways to win while losing simultaneously, transforming this natural process into wisdom, a time to reflect, or even accomplish more by focusing on goals that were on back burners for the younger years of discontent and restlessness.

There’s a freedom that comes with growing old. A freedom to not give a fuck! A freedom to accept that you are who you are. Some of us have a harder time letting go, including me. In my case, I lost nearly everything I had at an early age after a car accident that paralyzed me at a high level on my Spinal Cord, so my life post-injury was a constant fight to reclaim life by chipping away at the walls that held me back. I’d say the walls have been expanded considerably after determined digging, but I’m reaching my upper 40s now, and feel the proverbial waves eroding the territory I worked so hard to gain.

It’s ok; life is about acquiring and relinquishing, both teaching you lessons. And, hopefully, the losses, which are coming at me more rapidly, now, will not make me a loser, but a man who has won and lost battles, accepting both sides equally.