60 - it's not a birthday it's a state of mind!

Last week was my 60th birthday. I used to wonder what turning 60 would feel like. But now, I don't care. What I care about is that I am here, enjoying my life, and excited about my future. So for me, 60 isn't about "being old" but it's more about "being alive and valuing that I am still here". It's a big perspective change for me.

The past few years have changed a lot for me for the better (yeah yeah, I have cancer too), and I've learned so much and my perspective on life has really changed. Here are some of the things I've learned and want to share. This is not an extensive list, but a few of the more important themes.

Age doesn't matter, living how you want to does

My whole life, I thought turning 60 was a milestone that I never wanted to hit. But guess what? I hit it this week, and I don't feel any different. The good news, and what I care about, is that I am still here.

Not only am I still here, but in a lot of ways, I feel like I am thriving. I am happy, I am working full time and really enjoying it, I am still volunteering a ton, but am getting more focused. I am not automatically saying yes to everything, nor am I volunteering to take on a lot more.

I might even go skydiving again!

I have great support, but I always have to be my own best advocate

I am very lucky and very thankful for the support I get every day. From my family, friends, community, etc. I couldn't be doing as well as I am without it.

But, I have to care and take an active interest in myself, my physical and mental health. I read a lot, participate in a lot of groups, and use AI to help me understand things. By using all my tools (and my past experiences), I am in a much better place. I am more in control of myself than I have ever been. I am more engaged in the world around me, appreciative, thoughtful, etc, than I have ever been before, and that's helping me to do so well. I have definitely realized that knowledge is power, and I try to learn as much as I can.

All people matter

We live in a very polarizing time, and I have grown to detest the labels that we put on ourselves and others. As you know, I will never label myself as a "cancer patient". I am always Burt, who happens to have cancer. I am not a liberal. I am Burt, who cares about social issues and taking care of others. I guess you can label me with my sports fandom, but I am still an individual who roots for a team. It's all under my control. The difference is that I don't consider myself any one label, I consider myself Burt.

All people matter, I don't care who you are, where you come from, or what you believe (unless your beliefs can hurt others). Everyone deserves the right to be respected, honored, given compassion and empathy, to thrive, to be heard and to live in peace.

The way to help myself feel better is to help others

As many of us are/were upset about the election, my therapist (who is quickly becoming the star of my blog) said to me that she isn't focused on stuff she can't change; she is focused on helping those who are affected. So, for example, she told me she can't change the election, but she can help take care of those who are impacted. She told me she was going to volunteer to help trans teens.

This is a bit of a new theme for me, but it also made so much sense. I try to help as many people with cancer as I can, but I am now going to openly support more of the people who are being attacked. Whether it's wearing t-shirts that support pride, eating at restaurants owned by those who support trans bipoc people, or just being there in general for others, I am going to try my best to make life better for those who are being treated badly. I am focused on the person, not the label. I wish more people would do the same.

I am not trying to make myself sound great, I am just being honest and sharing what I am thinking about.

I don't know what the future holds, but I do know that I am learning every day and getting better prepared for how to handle it, good or bad.

So that's what turning 60 taught me. The biggest question that remains for me today is at what age I should join AARP. I keep getting emails from them! Even that has evolved, from "why are they telling me I am old before I feel old", to "cool, now I can get some discounts!"

So, here is to all of the learning that I've done in my first 60 years and applying it to my next 60 years!