Wondering if there is more sand in the top or bottom of your personal hour glass. If you are like me and there is more in the bottom half, has it changed the way that you think about anything? If so, please elaborate. 
Sands in your hourglass
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bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
I'm one of those persistent medical miracles, just trying to keep a step ahead of the guy with the scythe.
Before my diagnosis, I was a high-strung, fight all-comers type, but that's not healthy for me. Now I don't sweat the small stuff, and let most things roll off my back.
My rather large family is dumbfounded by the change, but the reward is that I've seen four more grandchildren born and gotten to dance at my sons wedding.
Before my diagnosis, I was a high-strung, fight all-comers type, but that's not healthy for me. Now I don't sweat the small stuff, and let most things roll off my back.
My rather large family is dumbfounded by the change, but the reward is that I've seen four more grandchildren born and gotten to dance at my sons wedding.
Way more at the bottom than the top. The thing that bothers me the most is my lack of active life. All my adult life I have worked hard outdoors. Inclement weather was my constant companion. My hands and arms were in a constant state of either bleeding or scabbing over. The "pucker factor" arrived at least once a week. Now I am retired and BORED. My hands that were once like sandpaper are now soft. At this point in my life I would take a beating with a rubber hose just to have a change. My only regret if I pass tomorrow is not being with my grandsons. my wife and kids can get by without me.
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Statistically, just a hair more in the bottom. Here's hoping the hole doesn't get bigger!
Oh, I know the feeling and I am just now coming to grips with my impending mortality. I turn 60 this summer and I realize that most of my life is now in the rear view mirror. Life expectancy is not much past 70 years old in my family so I don't expect much after that. So in about ten years, one more president two maybe at the most, and that's it.
The hard part for me is knowing that I probably won't get to see my 3 year old granddaughter graduate high school or go to college.......so I make the most of the time I have now and don't worry about when the good Lord comes looking for me.
The hard part for me is knowing that I probably won't get to see my 3 year old granddaughter graduate high school or go to college.......so I make the most of the time I have now and don't worry about when the good Lord comes looking for me.
BearBio
Member
At 66 (next month) with health problems, the hourglass is definitely bottom heavy.
More easy-going, outspoken. Concentrate more on doing more for others (as a Son of the Widow).
More easy-going, outspoken. Concentrate more on doing more for others (as a Son of the Widow).
More sand in the bottom than the top.No longer ambitious,my feet are up.Everybody start flappin [emoji38][emoji1]
ChattanoogaPhil
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Not so much.
Considering the outrageously crazy dangerous dumb stuff I did earlier in life, even though the mortality clock continues to tick I feel quite safe now relatively speaking. I mean... a 20% 5 year cancer survival rate today would be far more optimistic than where I was 40 years ago. All the boys I ran with in my early 20s are long ago dead from not knowing when to slow down. That bugs me more than my own aging. As far as changing attitudes or perspectives... my wife tells me I never grew up. So whatever...
Considering the outrageously crazy dangerous dumb stuff I did earlier in life, even though the mortality clock continues to tick I feel quite safe now relatively speaking. I mean... a 20% 5 year cancer survival rate today would be far more optimistic than where I was 40 years ago. All the boys I ran with in my early 20s are long ago dead from not knowing when to slow down. That bugs me more than my own aging. As far as changing attitudes or perspectives... my wife tells me I never grew up. So whatever...
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There is much more sand in the bottom of my hourglass, and yes my outlook has definitely changed. I’ve finally realized that I can’t make the world a better place, or what I think is a better place. I don’t sweat the small stuff, in reality most things come under the heading of small stuff. I’ve learned, within reason, that any problem that can be solved by throwing money at it, is not a problem but an inconvenience. I try to act in such a way that I don’t regret my actions. If I’ve done something that was not to cool I do my best to atone for it ASAP. Lastly I do my best to enjoy my life.
Bkreutz
US Veteran
From the title, I thought this thread was going to be about "Days of our lives" soap opera. (the "sands through the hourglass" bit was the only part I ever heard, it took me that long to hit the remote and change the channel) . I'm definitely in the "more sand in the bottom" category, but given my life experiences, I've pretty much felt that way since I was 19 and trying to survive another day in the Army.
pcgunner
Member
I definitely want more sand to refill my hourglass.
Seeing as that is not going to happen in my life, I make the best of what I have left since I have no clue how many grains of sand that is!
I've lived a very full life with an incredible amount of not the average experiences so the bottom of glass is a lot more full that the top.
I wonder if gun powder will suffice for sand?
Seeing as that is not going to happen in my life, I make the best of what I have left since I have no clue how many grains of sand that is!
I've lived a very full life with an incredible amount of not the average experiences so the bottom of glass is a lot more full that the top.
I wonder if gun powder will suffice for sand?
Big Cholla
Member
Because of the sheer amount of dangerous, fast and furious activities I involved myself as a young man, I was surprised to live to 40, then I was amazed to be still alive at 50. When I hit 60, I was totally astounded. Now that I'm all but 77, I am in fairly good shape for that age. I have stopped doing most of those 'fast and furious' activities, but I still ride my Harley daily. I have ridden powered two-wheelers since I was 8 yrs. and intend to continue until I'm unable. My Harley Dyna is my 38th motorcycle to own in my lifetime. I also still have my 36th, a Suzuki V-Strom. I no longer put a solid 8 hours working in my gun/metal/hobby shop as I once did, but I will work 2 to 3 hours and be very satisfied with myself.
Has growing close to the end of my hourglass changed my thinking on anything? Of course it has. I am far less restless than I once was. I am far more intolerant of 'stupidity'. I was being checked out at local grocery story early one morn. The very young looking female clerk could barely hold her eyes open. She gave me the wrong change twice. I then told her. "Miss, when you come to work, you should come to work." She glared at me and said, "You have a NICE day.". When I am being treated with indifference by a younger person, I will call them on their behavior. I am now firmly and totally fed up with 'establishment politics'.
I can now concentrate on one issue for far longer than I would ever allow myself as a younger man. I have a 4 month old mastiff puppy that with all her over-the-top exuberant ways I am enjoying watching and helping her develop into a true family companion dog and protector of my wife.....
Has growing close to the end of my hourglass changed my thinking on anything? Of course it has. I am far less restless than I once was. I am far more intolerant of 'stupidity'. I was being checked out at local grocery story early one morn. The very young looking female clerk could barely hold her eyes open. She gave me the wrong change twice. I then told her. "Miss, when you come to work, you should come to work." She glared at me and said, "You have a NICE day.". When I am being treated with indifference by a younger person, I will call them on their behavior. I am now firmly and totally fed up with 'establishment politics'.
I can now concentrate on one issue for far longer than I would ever allow myself as a younger man. I have a 4 month old mastiff puppy that with all her over-the-top exuberant ways I am enjoying watching and helping her develop into a true family companion dog and protector of my wife.....
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pinduck
US Veteran
Just turned 82 three days ago so the bottom holds way more than the top, but after quadruple bypass, a carotid op and many others, its still good. Just bought a couple of crossbows a few days ago to teach my two grandchildren how to use them. We already have done the firearms and fishing, so its time for archery. Its been a great ride so far.
Glen
Glen
I've got a much larger pile of sand in the bottom of mine. Turning 3/4 a century next month. What I notice is rather than thinking about what I can shoot with my guns, I think more about what they are worth. I have sold a few, and think about selling more so my wife and children don't have to deal with disposing "someday". I have certain items designated in my will "trinket clause" to whom they should be given. I recently bought a bundle of tags to list all the identifying information on to hang on each gun, so my wife won't have to guess which is what. I just wish I had more gumption to do more things. I will offer recommendations that you must exercise daily. Don't ever become a couch potato. Don't spent too much time at home, get out and associate with your friends, join a couple "coffee" groups and get out a couple times per week.
The older I get, the more I try to be like my Dad. I've stopped doing the things he would have disapproved of and now I know why, also.
I strive to be as honorable and helpful as he was and do the things I know he'd be proud of and not ashamed or embarrassed ( as I sometimes did when I was a young know-it-all ).
I don't take chances with things like I used to. Much more deliberate about things.
I appreciate the finer things in life such as saving for one great gun rather than getting 2or 3 mediocre ones searching for something that works.
Pretty much that " Measure twice and cut once" mentality popular with carpenters.
When its all said and done though, I realize that there still remains some of my young self inside that tries to takeover occasionally.
That's when that acquired deliberate thinking kicks in and asks" what would my Dad do?"
Works every time.
I strive to be as honorable and helpful as he was and do the things I know he'd be proud of and not ashamed or embarrassed ( as I sometimes did when I was a young know-it-all ).
I don't take chances with things like I used to. Much more deliberate about things.
I appreciate the finer things in life such as saving for one great gun rather than getting 2or 3 mediocre ones searching for something that works.
Pretty much that " Measure twice and cut once" mentality popular with carpenters.
When its all said and done though, I realize that there still remains some of my young self inside that tries to takeover occasionally.
That's when that acquired deliberate thinking kicks in and asks" what would my Dad do?"
Works every time.
Almost a mirror of my own life growing up in the big city projects. Most of my friends either became cops, firefighters, sanitation men, or went down the path of drug use. Many did both, good people caught up in the scourge, alot like today.
Many are dead from street violence or heavy drug use, some gone in their 20's and 30's.
I hung with them all, they were my friends, even the ones who fell into the abyss.
I never thought I'd ever get this far in watching all the destruction around me.
But, I wouldn't change my early life, I'm happy for it.
My wife laughs at all the silly things I do, but it keeps me young at heart even if the body says otherwise.
Worry about things? Not much, God promised me a better future.
Don't really care about acquiring more stuff. Don't worry about having the cool car or the big boat. The Holidays mean a chance to be with family and friends, don't care about gifts. As much as I love my S&Ws and other guns, would trade them all for one more dinner with mom and dad.
Old Corp
Member
Blessed to be in pretty good shape for an ol' 58 y.o. Blessed to have gone in harm's way more times than I could count and still retire at age 50.
Wish I'd have worked harder at getting promoted, so the $$ would be better now, but that's OK.
Have some toys I enjoy, great wife, a grown son I'm proud of. Will be building my last house soon.\, looking forward to it.
More sand is in the bottom, and you know what? Most of it was really good sand.
Wish I'd have worked harder at getting promoted, so the $$ would be better now, but that's OK.
Have some toys I enjoy, great wife, a grown son I'm proud of. Will be building my last house soon.\, looking forward to it.
More sand is in the bottom, and you know what? Most of it was really good sand.
