Sunday, December 27, 2009

Happy Birthday To Me...

Today is my birthday, and I am not 31. In fact, I am a little past 31, but I am constantly amazed by the "women of a certain age" who just seem to be steamrolling over the women a decade (or possibly two) younger than they are. I found the following list of women who will attest to that fact: Katey Sagal, Jessica Lange, Sigourney Weaver, Debbie Harry, Queen Noor of Jordan, Geena Davis, Joan Allen, Kim Cattrall, Susan Lucci, Cher, Jane Fonda, Tina Turner, Susan Sarandon, Katie Couric, Lynda Carter, Beverly Johnson, Mary Steenburgen, Goldie Hawn, Ellen Barkin, Sophia Loren, Raquel Welch, Suzanne Somers, Olivia Newton-John, Peggy Lipton, Rene Russo, Lauren Hutton, Diane Sawyer, Cheryl Tiegs, Angela Bassett, Joan Jett, Jaclyn Smith, Sela Ward, Kim Basinger, Jane Seymour, Helen Mirren, Meryl Streep. These are all vital women, still winning awards in their fields, still having fun, and still very sexy -- some of them more so than when they were younger.

Katie Couric is well past the dreaded "five O", and she was the first solo female anchor of a weekday evening news on CBS. On December 21, 2009, Diane Sawyer became the second solo female anchor of the evening news on ABC. And the very next day -- on December 22, 2009 -- Diane Sawyer turned 64.

What we get out of life is what we put into it. If we put limitations on ourselves, our rewards will be -- limited. I work with people who drag themselves through the day, do the minimal amount of work, and all they can talk about is retiring. The Black Widow Spider just retired recently, at the age of 55. She spent her whole working life running around saying, "What would this place do without me? What would this place do without me?" Well, when she left, they farmed out her duties to other folks, everything is running very smoothly, and management has decided it is not necessary to replace her. After years of whining and complaining working, it turns out she was redundant and expendable. What a sad testimony to a life.

It sounds kind of corny, but today really is the first day of the rest of our lives, and it is filled with possibilities -- all kinds of wonderful possibilities. It's up to each of us to find out what those possibilities have to offer. Discover what it is you like to do, and make it your passion. And mostly, just have fun -- every day. That's what I plan to do.

Happy Birthday to me...

Cheers,

61 comments:

Lau Milesi said...

Hi, Jo!!! Happy Birthday to you...!!!

" Age is a number, and mine is unlisted". So...

A big hug from Rio de Janeiro-Brazil.

Canarybird said...

A big Happy Birthday to you Jo!

No worry for you...you will stay young and interesting forever!

Birthday bumps and hugs, Sharon.
(Do you remember those birthday bumps? lol)

VioletSky said...

Happy Birthday, Jo!

Hilary said...

Happy not-31st Birthday!

KathyB. said...

Right on Jo! I don't believe in retirement and I am not talking about jobs and professions, I am talking about the whole mentality of retirement that has people looking forward to that magic age when they can stop doing anything that seems like work and indulge themselves in lives of ease....yeah, that is the lifestyle that helps ease them right into the grave more quickly!

Poor Black Widow Spider, she is not missed or mourned (did you throw a party to celebrate her exit?)and cannot appreciate what a waste of time and cause of distress she has been, well not entirely~ She has inspired you to write wonderful posts and to make sure your life counts for more. Happy Birthday Jo, and many, many more!!!!!

white crow said...

HAPPY HAPPY BUDDAY JO!! XD

the walking man said...

As the odometer rolls to higher numbers it means nothing other than that the car has traveled further. Roll on cupcake, roll on.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday! Lovely post, we should do what makes us happy. Wishing you lots of happy things in life!

kenju said...

The sky's the limit, Jo!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Brenda's Arizona said...

Lovely post! Happy Birthday - and continue to enjoy the miles you add on to your life.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, Jo!

Jan said...

Happy Birthday - even the skies no limit !! I'm way past 31and I look younger now than my grandma looked at 30 !!!!
Live life to the full

Lone Grey Squirrel said...

Happy Birthday to my favorite blogger. A belated Christmas greeting too. As for that long list of women, quite a few have had the benefit of medical intervention.

Country Girl said...

Ever so much more than twenty. Well, happy birthday to you, my blogging friend from Vancouver.
I love your new signature.

The Panorama said...

happy Birthday, Jo! have tons of fun on your b'day. And I so agree with you on this post:)

Miss_Nobody said...

Happy budday!

Kimberly said...

Happy Birthday! "May the best of your past be the worst of your future"...

Connie said...

Happy Birthday! I agree with Lau Milesi, age is just a number. Life isn't over until we think it is.

Russell said...

One of my favorite sayings is "how old would you be if you did not know how old you were?"

I have met many people who were old at 40 and many people who were young at 80.

Happy Birthday! You give a new meaning to the word LIFE!

Small City Scenes said...

Happy Birthday to youuuuuu!!! MB

Land of shimp said...

A very happy birthday to you, Jo and many returns of the day! I hope something truly delightful happens on your special day :-)

@Lone Grey Squirrel -- I couldn't help but think of the same thing. Who knows what 50 and 60 actually looks like any longer? I really don't blame the women on that list for making use of what is available, it is a very superficial industry, after all (TV journalism and acting) but I find it difficult to cheer the "Woman Power at All Ages!" when to be successful in their fields, women have to arrest the aging process.

Particularly when it comes to journalism, that shouldn't be necessary.

I do have to give special mention to Jane Seymour, though. When asked if she gets Botox and Restilin, she answered that she does. I appreciated that honesty, and wish more would follow suit.

It isn't clean living, lots of exercise and good health that has those women looking so young -- it's Botox, Restilin, Chemical peels and in some cases far more invasive procedures.

They all conquered in their respective fields, and that's an amazing achievement. It truly is not their fault that in order to continue to achieve they have to make sure not to look their actual ages.

Breath-e said...

Bappy Hirthday!!

Jennifer D said...

Happy Birthday Jo!

I was just reading about Diane Sawyer and I can't believe how young she looks.

Here's to long full lives regardless of looks.

Avril Fleur said...

Happy Birthday from Ontario Jo! Hope you have a fabulous day and year ahead! Can't wait to read many more insightful and entertaining blog posts from you!

Deb said...

Happy Happy Birthday, Jo!!! May you have a truly fabulous year.

Charles Gramlich said...

Happy bday! And it's good we live in a world where folks are able to keep doing what they love even after...31. Or 39.

Alissa Grosso said...

Happy birthday, Jo! Hope you have tons of fun!

Leilani Tresise said...

Happy Birthday JO! I love the 50s my children all adults. I get WAY enough sleep, eat in peace, and have a phone conversation without interuption! yeeehawwww..

Susan English Mason said...

Happy Birthday, Jo! I'm just glad my wrinkles don't hurt.

Kym said...

Wow...really? Well Happy Birthday Jo! Hope you have a fabulous day! Mine is tomorrow! Let's Celebrate as if we both were turning 21 again! LOL! Happy Birthday to youuuuuuuuuuuuuu!

Brenda said...

Happy Happy Birthday Jo! I ditto what Lau Milesi said.....Unlisted number on my age also. Rod Stewart did a song that I enjoy....Forever Young. Seems like a good Birthday song to me. Cheers!

Scoobyloves2004 said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JO!!! I hope you have a wonderful day. God Bless!!!

Bobbie said...

Wishing you a very Happy Birthday, Jo. Enjoy your special day!!

Owen said...

Happy B-day Jo !

You make it abundantly clear that every day is being made the most of as you send out radiating waves of warmth and intelligent reflections on what is going on in your life... which no doubt is why so many folks stop in here on a regular basis. Visiting your blog for me is like reading some of my favorite columnists back in the days when we still got news in newspapers...

So, here's wishing you an excellent 2010, full of vitality and energy and wisdom...

Happy holidays !

Donnetta said...

Happy Birthday, Josie! Only look back to remind yourself to keep looking forward. Anything special planned for the day? My bd is in January, and I'll be 59!! I can't believe it. We just keep getting better! D

HAPPY IN NEVADA said...

What's nice is getting older and more experienced. Ultimately, it seems as if you feel younger because things don't seem as overwhelming or puzzling as they did in your 20's or 30's.

I know my confidence started to really build when I was in my 40's; the joys of grand-kids came when I was in my 50's, and now that I'm almost 70, I feel fortunate to have had a full and interesting life.

Keeping your good sense of humor; taking care of your health, and being ready to generate a kind word and bright smile makes us all 'ageless'.

"Happy Birday" (as my nephew said to me when he was 2 years old)......

Carl said...

Happy Happy Birthday JO! May this year bring you nothing but Joy and Happiness.

Carl

roxanne s. sukhan said...

Sweet 16 and never been kissed?

Many happy returns of the day, as Winnie the Pooh would say.

Paula Slade said...

Happy, happy birthday Jo! May every birthday wish be fulfilled! :)

joanne said...

A very Happy Birthday to you, Jo. You have such a wonderful attitude I can't help but think you could steamroll over many women much younger. (I'm not saying you are old)...jj

Carol said...

Happy Birthday Jo.

Hope you have a fantastic day.

Carol :)

Unknown said...

Hi Jo, Happy Birthday! I have one coming up on the 31st. I'm turning 28 and dread watching the years move by. I know I shouldn't because 28 is still young but I think I suffer more than most from the fear of growing up!

Life has moved faster than I intended and I have yet to accomplish a single thing that I thought I would have by now. Oh well. There is always 29.

Anonymous said...

Χρόνια Πολλά from Athens, Greece.

Nancy said...

Happy Birthday, Jo!! You are one of those vital, beautiful women that has much more to enjoy in this life!

Nicole said...

Happy Birthday to you! Hope it was a great day!

susie said...

Wow, what a post. And a very Happy Birthday to you. You're right, the goal is not retirement, the goal is to make yourself the best you can be.
Passion for what you do is what brings happiness. If your goal is to retire, what do you have to live for after you retire?

Love your thought provoking posts!

Kathryn said...

Yee-haaaa!!!Happy Birthday Jo!
I feel younger than my age too. It's just a silly number.
thanks for your warm and witty words!
Kathryn (who also spent part of her life on the island and who wants to move back as soon as possible)

John said...

Jo, Happy Birthday to you! And many many more!

heartinsanfrancisco said...

Happy, happy birthday, Jo! You belong on that wonderful list of great ladies who are smart, accomplished, beautiful and sexy, so never doubt it.

Marguerite said...

Happy Birthday, Jo and best wishes for a great year ahead! (sorry I'm late for the party) Hope it was a wonderful fun-filled day! And, as usual, you're so right! Cheers!

A human kind of human said...

"VEELS GELUK LIEWE MAATJIE, OMDAT JY VERJAAR, MAG DIE HERE JOU SEEN EN NOG BAIE JARE SPAAR"! This says Happy Birthday to you like your Mother would have said it to a friend when she was a child.

Another Jo that is very special in my life always says "Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional" and I think you will have something of the child (aged about 25) in you forever.

(Translation: Happy Birthday dear friend, may the Lord bless you and keep you for many years to come.)

Jo said...

Omigoodness gracious...!!! Thank you everyone for your wonderful birthday wishes. You have no idea how much they mean to me. I love you all...!

Cheers,
Jo

Tess Kincaid said...

Happy Birthday!!!! :D

The Bug said...

I'm late, but I wanted to get in on the act - Happy Birthday! I'm always excited to see a "Jo" post - so you just keep on keeping on!

TomCat said...

Happy Birthday, Josie. 39 spanks?

Kathy's Klothesline said...

Sending you good wishes for the year ahead. I will be 57 this year and honestly don't wish to go ta an earlier year. I cherish all the memories of years past and appreciate all the wisdom they bring! Happy Birthday!

Cedar said...

A full years subscription to the New Yorker really does rock and so do you!!!! Fine wine Ms. Josie, fine wine.

CHummelKornell said...

Jo,

So sorry I missed your big day...still wanted to say a big "Happy Birthday" late. Age is only a state of mind and so long as we keep our minds young then the numbers don't matter.

Alicia said...

Jo, HAPPY BIRTHDAY...belatedly! Sorry it's late but with the holidays I was behind on my blog reading. But what an interesting post, makes you stop to think. I learned long ago no one is expendable and there is always a replacement just around the corner. But there is no replacement for you my friend. Yours is the first blog I read during my lunch hour because you actually write something so that gives me time to scroll slowly & read while I eat :-)

Happy Birthday again!

Marcos Vinicius Gomes said...

Happy birthday Jo!
(You are so cute today!):P

Nerissa said...

Happy Birthday!This definitely a late one but I hope you had a wonderful time with the people you love!