"What's Age Got To Do With It?"

I've been spending considerable time over the past few days going through the large stack of magazines that have accumulated on my side table. I had to laugh at the date on one of them - April 2001. I can't believe I had that magazine for four years. It's in the recycling bin now with many others that I've gone through. I've torn out a few pages for further reading and reference, but the intact magazines are now piled up on my washer so that I can haul them to work for my coworkers to read, if they so choose. The gals in my office do that. We also have paperback books sitting in our copy room that people borrow or add to, as they choose. No one expects them back and after awhile, they disappear and a new collection starts.

Anyhoo, I was glancing through an issue of Organic Style when I ran across the article "What's Age Got To Do With It?" It's about how you can be a friend to any person of any age. I believe in this whole-heartedly, which is why my friends range in ages from 18 to 60. They are all precious to me and I enjoy all of their unique personalities. There's a section in this article that I feel should be shared with "the blogging world" and so here I quote it for you now.

How To Be An Old Friend -- At Any Age

More mature people have learned a thing or two about making real connections that last. Want to benefit from their experience?

1. Dismiss Miss Congeniality: Once you're out of high school, you shouldn't feel pressure to win any popularity contests. As an adult, you can become friends with whomever you fancy and make as many new and unlikely alliances as you want.

2. Hold That Advice, Please: If you want to be a wise friend, have a good question ready, rather than a good answer. Lending your ear is the best thing you can do.

3. Be Forever 40: One of the most fulfilling moments in a lifetime is when you are poised to enjoy the friendship of people half your age -- and people twice your age. When is that? You do the math.

4. Defy Stereotypes: Reach out across generation gaps: With all your friends, be a bright, generous, sincere, and slightly outrageous person who isn't quite ready to be "age appropriate". You'll be surprised at the rewards.

5. Keep Your Youth a Secret: Are you younger than most of your friends? Good for you. But don't boast about it. Friendship is one instance when youth is not necessarily an advantage.
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So that's it. It took about six years for #1 to sink in. Now I just laugh if someone doesn't particular care for me. I don't expect everyone to like me, just as I don't expect to like everyone else. The world can't be your friend. #2 is commandment in my book. If someone wants advice, then I'll offer it. If they don't, then I'll listen and affirm what they're feeling. Sometimes all I want and need is someone to listen to me. Advice isn't always welcomed. #4 - I never act my age... #5 - I believe this works the other way also. I'm older than I appear to be, but I don't boast about it...I do find it kinda funny that I'm 30 and still occasionally get carded to buy a lottery ticket. I have to stop wearing my college sweatshirt to the store. ;)