Many people are afraid 
of growing old.
I'm afraid of growing old 
and boring.

Many people are afraid 
of growing old, alone.
I'm afraid of growing old, 
insane.

Many people are afraid of 
losing their looks.
I'm afraid of losing 
my dreams.

Many people are afraid of 
losing their youth.
I'm afraid of losing 
my soul.

When you're 15, 
35 seems ancient.
When you're 35, 
15 seems juvenile.

A turnaround in a split second 
- two decades zoom past 
and before you know it, 
it's only a mile 
to the next millennium.

Don't fear age,
it's a right of person-hood.

Don't fear death  
it's God's greatest jest.

Don't grow old - 
you don't have to.

Don't date because 
you're desperate.

Don't marry because 
you're miserable.

Don't have kids because 
you think your genes are superior.

Don't separate because 
you think it's fashionable.

Don't drink because 
you have troubles.

Don't gamble because 
you think winning is inevitable.

Don't philander because 
you think you're irresistible.
Most likely, you're not.

Don't associate with people 
you can't trust.
Don't cheat.
Don't lie.
Don't pretend.

Don't try to buy your way 
into the kingdom of God.

Don't dictate because 
you're smarter.

Don't demand because 
you're stronger.

Don't sleep around because 
you think you're old enough 
and know better.

Don't hurt your kids because 
loving them is harder.

Don't sell yourself, 
your family or your ideals.

Don't stagnate.
Don't regress.

Learn a new skill.

Find a new friend.

Start a new career.

Don't live in the past.

Time can't bring anything 
or anyone back.

Don't put your life on hold 
for possibly Mr. Right.

Don't throw you life away 
on absolutely Mr. Wrong 
because your biological clock is ticking 
and you can't afford to have 
your eggs harvested 
before the new millennium.

There's always a mad rush to something, 
somewhere - 
but victory
does not always belong 
to those who finish first.

Sometimes, 
there is no race to be won, 
only a price to be paid
for some of life's 
more hasty decisions.

You can't always go 
with the throng 
who could be wrong.

Sometimes, 
you have to be alone 
to be enlightened.

To terminate your loneliness, 
reach out to the homeless.
To feed your nurturing instincts, 
care for the needy.
To fulfill your parenting fantasies, 
get a puppy.

Don't bring another life 
into this world 
for all the wrong reasons.

To keep yourself warm, 
buy a jacket.
In the long run, 
it will be less complicated 
and less costly.

To make yourself happy, 
pursue your passions 
and be the best 
of what you can be.

Simplify your life.
Take away the clutter.
Get rid of destructive elements 
- abusive friends, 
nasty habits
and dangerous liaisons.

Don't abandon your responsibilities, 
but don't overdose on duty.
Don't live life recklessly 
without thought and feeling 
for your family.

Be true to yourself. 
Don't commit when you're not ready.

Don't keep others 
waiting needlessly.

Fall in love - 
it's the greatest thing on earth.
But take care and remember, 
after the fall must come the rise.

Go on that trip. 
Don't postpone it.

Say those words. 
Don't let the moment pass.
Do what you must 
even at society's scorn.

Write poetry. 
Love deeply. 
Walk barefoot. 
Hold hands.
Dance with wild abandon. 
Cry at the movies.
Take care of yourself.
Don't wait for someone 
to take care of you.

You light up your life.
You drive yourself 
to your destination.
No one completes you - 
except you.
It is true that life doesn't 
get easier with age.
It only gets more 
challenging.

Don't be afraid.
Don't lose 
your capacity to love.

Pursue your passions.
Live your dreams.

Don't lose faith in God.

Don't grow old.

Just grow up.



article from Sun-Star daily newspaper...
By Melanie T. Lim, June 2, 1999



I came across this Poem at
MountainWings.com