Share Your World – March 20, 2017

It’s time for the next weekly installment of Share Your World – March 20, 2017.

How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?

Intellectually, I’m still about two years old. Everything fascinates me, and one new discovery leads to another. My favorite question is still “Why?”

Emotionally, in some circumstances I’m stuck at 12 years old, which is the age at which my adolescence of verbal and emotional abuse began. Because of that experience I’m still quick to take offense and to feel anger about anything that I perceive as a slight, insult, or even plain indifference. Since that time I’ve learned that not everything I perceive this way is an intentional negative action toward me. As a result I’m now able to modulate my emotional reactions better than I did at 12. But there’s still that immediate emotional reaction of anger, defensiveness, and desire for revenge.

Although I can’t think of a label for this next category, I think that in terms of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding I’m right where I should be for my age. I consider each wrinkle on my face as a piece of wisdom learned through experience, and I wear my wrinkles proudly.

Physically, though, my body lets me know that it’s not 20—or even 30, 40, or 50—anymore. I’m still surprised when my body gives out long before my enthusiasm for exploring new places and new experiences.

So, you’re on your way out and it’s raining. Do you know where your umbrella is or do you frantically search for it all over your apartment/house?

I usually don’t use an umbrella. I grew up in New England, where rain is often accompanied by high winds. I don’t remember how many of my umbrellas got ruined by being blown inside out before I finally decided not to waste any more money buying new ones.

Now that we live in the Pacific Northwest, where rain is frequent and not often accompanied by high winds, I’m trying to get back in the habit of using an umbrella. My husband and I now each have an umbrella (thanks to Santa last Christmas) that we keep right by the front door. We also have one in the car because here, the weather can change between heavy rain and bright sunshine in a matter of just a few minutes.

Do you recharge your energy by going out with friends for a good time or by spending with quiet time alone?

I’m an introvert, even a hermit. My idea of fun in a crowd is limited to about five or six people at a time. When I need to recharge, I want to be all alone, preferably with a good book.

Name three things you and your spouse, partner or best friend have in common.

1. Political beliefs: We’re both bleeding-hear liberals, true children of the 1960s, and proud of it.
2. Social conscience: The belief that those who have more should do more. This includes paying taxes and donating to charity.
3. We are both perfectly happy to sit down and read a book for extended periods of time.

Optional Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

I think I’m going to opt out of this question in the future, since I keep repeating myself: Last week was great, and I’m hoping for more of the same in the upcoming week.

Ain’t retirement grand?

Thanks for reading, and I hope all of you have a great week, too!

© 2017 by Mary Daniels Brown