They say it’s your birthday
It’s my birthday too, yeah
They say it’s your birthday
We’re gonna have a good time
I’m glad it’s your birthday
Happy birthday to you
(Birthday Song, from The Beatles’ 1968 double album The Beatles, aka The White Album)
I’ve always loved this song, and I’ll be singing it all day today. Yes, you guessed it, it’s my birthday! Whoeeee! I’m not completely sure how I feel about gaining another year. I’ve turned the corner on the road to 70, and I sure don’t see myself there. But I guess I never saw myself in my sixties, either.
I’d like to share yet another Japanese concept with you. ( I think I was Japanese in a past life, because I sure respect and am in awe over their perception of so many things, especially aging.) This one is pin pin korori, or live long, die short. Loosely translated, “pin pin” means energetic and “korori” means quick and painless. In other words, live an energetic life until you suddenly drop dead.
Apparently the phrase pin pin korori is so commonly used that the Japanese simply abbreviate it PPK. And who wouldn’t want to strive for PPK if it means living a long life without illness and then dying peacefully?
Of course you can’t get to PPK without some work. You must respect your body and look after it. You know, eat well, exercise, meditate, and commune with nature. All that good stuff. You owe it to yourself to do everything possible to stay healthy and live an active life. Unfortunately, many of us don’t realize this until we are a bit older, and then it may be too late.
It’s not too late to try! So, try I will. With this birthday I will embark on yet another journey to be nicer to myself. I will eat better. I will procrastinate less. I will get more exercise. I will . . . try to actually follow through. When I turned 64, I had a “64 and more things to do” list. I did most of them, but when I found the list in my phone’s notes section the other day, I realized that a lot of the things I did not do are things I probably won’t ever do. Not that I can’t, but I just don’t want to. So, why sweat it? Time to move on. Time to find new things to add to that list. My friend Joanne is turning 70 this summer. She has vowed to do 70 acts of random kindness. She is well on her way. Joanne is the one who cycled every street in our city in honor of her 65th birthday. You can read a previous blog about her.
Age is just a number, right? I have friends who are older than me. I have friends who are younger than me. I play pickleball and mahjong with people from different age groups. They are such excellent role models. Living the dream. Living the good life. Living the PPK.
I just came across a book written by Steven Petrow, an award-winning journalist and book author who is best known for his Washington Post and New York Times essays on aging, health, and civility. The title “Stupid Things I Won’t Do When I Get Old” (June 2021) caught my attention for obvious reasons.
Did you ever question things your parents did? I sure did, and I really don’t think I’m alone. I know my kids question things I do. Hahaha. One of the biggest compliments you can get from your kids is when they say, “I just opened my mouth and heard my mother’s words!” Gasp!
Anyway, this book is a collection of do’s and don’ts, wills and won’ts that is based on the author’s observations of his parents. They were in their 70s, and he was a young, 50-ish guy when he put those observations in a book. It is very honest, quite funny, and produces a lot of “aha” moments. Although I’m not sure when one should be classified as “old,” I do know that I am getting closer to that date. This book shows how we use stereotypes and the ways of past generations to determine what is old and what is not. I’ve heard that 60 is the new 40. But really, as I said earlier, age is just a number. Getting old is just a state of mind. Some days I feel older than others, and that’s okay.
Stupid Things I Won’t Do When I Get Old is a good read. It has me rethinking how I feel about aging, and that’s a good thing. I mean, the bit about the “organ recital” is hilarious, and omg, how many times have I been there! You’ll have to read the book to see what I’m talking about!
Well, I’m off to celebrate my birthday. My family is taking me mini golfing, and hahaha, get this, out for sushi and other treats at a wonderful Japanese restaurant in town. Go figure!
Interesting Reads & Things
http://www.231.jp/pinkoro/Hawaii%20Herald%2018%203%20%202017.pdf
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6461141/
Wanderings Art 