Eleven months ago I published a piece in which I noted that I couldn’t believe how fast 2021, and hence my life, was flying by. Well, somehow 2022 has equaled or maybe even surpassed 2021’s fleetness. And I have no doubt that 2023 will tear out of the starter’s block like Usain Bolt and then do nothing but pick up speed. Man, time unquestionably is the most precious commodity of all. It’s unsettling too.
Now, not everybody would agree with my perception of time. Most young people, for instance, don’t sense time as being a high-speed train.Ā Hell, for the most part they don’t think about time at all. Like many senior citizens, however, I have time on my mind pretty often. Meaning, I’m anything but oblivious to the facts that I’ve been on Planet Earth for a good long while, and that I’m a whole lot closer to the end than to the beginning. I don’t become badly depressed about it, or anything like that. However, the reality of the situation definitely gets my attention now and then.
I mention the above because I was stunned big-time a couple of months ago as I neared the completion of my 75th journey around the Sun. I did not feel at all celebratory about the upcoming birthday. The cockles of my heart refused to warm even one little bit. “75? Are you shitting me?” I asked myself. “How is it possible that I’ve become so f*cking old?” I mean, it seems like only yesterday that I was in my twenties, let alone in my 40s. Holy crap, where in the world did the time go?
By anyone’s definition, 75 is old as frigging dirt, or nearly so. Yeah, I know that plenty of people are older than me. Not as many as you might think, though, nor as many as I thought until I researched the subject earlier this month on a website that can tell you where you fit, age-wise, on the human population ladder. (Click here if you’d like to see the site. When it opens, click on Let’s Go. Next, click on My Place In The Population, which is where you enter your age.)
The answer, for 75-year-old me, was not joy-inducing. That’s because I learned that I am older than 96% of the people on our beautiful, polluted planet. That figure was an absolute kick to the balls. All I could do was shake off the pain and acknowledge the bad joke with a half-hearted chortle. And then I got right back to doing the things I love, such as palling around with my wife and other friends, exploring the natural and man-made worlds, writing, reading, and imbibing cool music. They make for a good life. With luck, this regimen will continue for a bunch more years.
With 2023 a mere handful of days away, the time now has arrived for me to wish all of you a most Happy New Year. May it be rewarding. And may peace, love, understanding and freedom fully permeate the human condition one day. They are in short supply in many parts of the globe, as we know all too well. So, as I’ve been thinking about freedom a lot lately, I’ll conclude this essay by presenting a song, Miles And Miles, that knocked me off my feet when I heard it for the first time recently. It’s a brilliant rocker, released this year by The Heavy Heavy, a young British band that I wouldn’t mind hanging out with for a while, traveling with them from gig to gig and absorbing their vibes. For the song’s about being flushed with freedom as you groove to life’s rhythms and grab hold of the good stuff out there in the world. I tell you, that orientation has appealed to me exquisitely since I reached adulthood many moons ago. I hope I never stop feeling, and acting, that way.
Yeah, Another Blogger 
a freewheeling song on the open road. I am similar age to you, Neil, but I’m not letting go yet: too much to do, see esp now that my children are over from interstate and oversea and the grandies are so excited to see us; I mean, Neil, who wouldn’t be ? š
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You know how to enjoy life!
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I sure do š
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It is kind of shocking to realize that more than 90% are younger. Happy New Year, Neil, and keep on blogging!
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Howdy, Audrey. I’m catching up to Methusaleh!
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I’m not that far behind, Neil!
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Thank you, Neil, for making my feet tapping, and many more years of doing the things you like. Age is just a number, and feel just how I look, although, this is not my real age. By some genetic anomaly, I look decades younger than I am. If I need to deal with any establishment where I have to tell my date of birth, I carry with me my birth certificate. I know that there is research into reversing aging, and I can’t possibly be the only person that is looking younger
now than when I was 10 years ago, but I am not complaining.
Joanna
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You have found the fountain of youth!
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Thank you, Neil, but as have done nothing, I cannot take credit for the way I look, it is unexplained, all I know for sure that I am not an alien!
Joanna
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Thanks for the link – Iām getting up there, too! Older than a very overwhelming majority of the population. Time is on my mind, too, but I am looking forward to retirement in 10 months. So many things to do and see still!
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Hi. It’s a big, amazing world. We need to keep exploring it for as long as we can.
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7% of the world’s population is older than me; 11% in Ireland – so the moral of the story is to move to a country which rangs you as younger! Impending – well, getting nearer to the day of death – doesn’t occupy my mind but the gradually failing body does with those ailments which need medical attention – bothersome prostate and hip replacement – and the general decline of the body. I went out yester day to cut down a relatively small tree, 40 feet high approximately, and after doing so, cutting it up, cleaning up etc I was well and truly beat. That bothers me.
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Paddy, you might not be quite what you were some years ago. But anybody who can cut down and cut up a tree is in good shape!
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My body says otherwise! LOL
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Quality, not quantity. But still, where do the days go? Scary.
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“Time flies” might be a cliche. But it’s true. Hi, and thanks for stopping by.
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Dearest Neil, its a heartfelt and heart wrenching post. Until I opened the pitara box, that image. Your concern felt puny. It might still be so. But the time flying is just an indicator of how truly you lived. Its beautiful if we can only smile for now. right now one more time.
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Greetings, and many thanks for adding your thoughts. Enjoying life with a smile on our faces is a very good way to live.
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absolutely Neil š
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Yes, time certainly zooms by like crazy as we age. I’m feeling this, too. Each day is a precious gift.
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Being above ground is WAY better than the alternative!
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š
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Age robs us of nothing…but ill health is another matter!
You keep on rocking and filling your days with what you love.
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Hi Helen. Happy New Year to you and your husband. I’m looking forward to your next article, and appreciate your reading my stories. See ya!
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Good song. You are lookin good for 75. Keep enjoying the things you enjoy. Keep walking and clicking photos.
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Hey, Joyce. I’ll try!
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Just keep living life Neil. Our perceptions are skewed when we know we are closer to that finite #, even though we don’t really know what that # will be, but really- 75 isn’t old at all if you don’t let it be. Now 95…that might be getting into the old range.
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Deb, this is a great observation: “Our perceptions are skewed when we know we are closer to that finite #, even though we donāt really know what that # will be . . . “
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Thank you for this very thoughtful piece. The music is stellar and Iām inspired to pal around with friends and loved ones, thereās where the good stuff is at. Happy NewYear, Neil!
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Hey, Suzanne. Palling around truly is where it’s at. It’s fun and often enriching.
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I can relate to this one. The years whizz by, now. But on the up-side, we don’t have to wait so long for the summers to come around again. š
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That’s one way of looking at it!
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Well, if you’re older than 96% of people on the planet, you must be doing something right, right? Happy New Year Neil and family!
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Thanks, Marie. All the best to you and yours.
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Happy New Year! I read about perception of time in a book about neuroscience. It’s something about, the more memories we create, the longer time it feels like. So for instance, when you are an inexperienced child, the summer holiday seem to last forever if lots of fun stuff is going on. As an older person, we have seen it all (almost) before, which is why time flies by.
And these days, it’s getting more common to get to 100 – in that perspective 75 isn’t that old! š
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Hi. That’s an interesting premise that you mention. To slow time down, I need to start creating more memories!
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Ain’t it the truth??!! Please tell everyone young to take good care of their bodies because they’ll pay dearly in their 70’s if they don’t!
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Hi. I think we become more and more aware of this as we get older. Good health practices definitely help us live longer, generally speaking.
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Happy New Year, young’un!
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Merci beaucoup!
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As someone once wrote (maybe me…..I can’t remember): Existence is a state of mind; make it a happy one.
You obviously subscribe to that philosophy.
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Afternoon. Yeah, we need to fill our days, at least partly, with activities that we get a kick out of. Otherwise, life becomes kind of a drag.
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Cool song, reminds me of my time hitchhiking in my 20s. (I got brave and looked at that chart. I’m in the top 5%, and lucky to have been in my 20s when hitchhiking was a lot safer than it is now.) Wishing you the best year ever!
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Hi, and thanks for the comments. You know, two months ago I saw a hitchhiker, the first one I’d seen in years. And he was up there in age, at least 65 years old I think.
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Hi Neil, happy 75th year on earth. š I know the song you posted but couldn’t play your video – must be license issues for Canadians, heh. When I read your post, I thought it was a track from Miles Davis. You may like his “Milestones” … also very upbeat, just like you.
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Hey, Eden. Miles Davis was so great. Absolutely one of the best. Here’s to a terrific 2023!
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Happy new year, Neil, age is just a number, my friend!
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Hey there, Tiffany. I’m looking forward to seeing the colorful paintings you create in the new year. They are full of joy.
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That is a fascinating website, especially eye-opening to see my place in the world vs Canada. Happy 2023!
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When I started looking for a website with that kind of information, I didn’t think I’d find one. It took a lot of digging around, but I stumbled upon it.
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It’s a great one!!
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Itās very amazing.
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Oof! I’m slightly more than a decade behind you, but that still puts me at older than 87% of humanity. Have you ever had the disorienting experience of catching sight of yourself in a random store window and being jarred at seeing an old person? Most of the time I forget that I don’t look like a 40-year-old woman to other people, despite having that as my mental image of myself as I look out on the world. It’s crazy scary how fast it all happens. But on we go…. Happy New Year, Neil!
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Hi Kim. I keep looking older and older . . . but I’m getting used to it!
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Hey there Neil, Andy Rooney said and it seems you and I agree with him, “Life is like a roll of toilet paper, the closer you get to the end the faster it goes.” Have a great day. Jerry
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Happy new year, Jerry, and many thanks for adding your unique perspective on things!
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Happy New Year to you too, Neil. I share your dismay at how much is now in the rear-mirror, but what can we do? Just get on with it! Life is still good.
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Right, the best thing we can do is to keep on trucking!
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I think WordPress lost my comment….but a happy New Year to you and keep looking ahead.
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Your original comment arrived. But I’m glad to hear from you again!
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Hope you have a great 2023, Neil! I certainly empathize with your thoughts and feelings about the passage of time. We’ll just make the best of things:)
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Hi. Right, it’s all we can do. Have a very happy new year!
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Thanks!
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It is incredible how time seems to speed up the older you get. A bonus of course after retirement is that you donāt spend most of your day doing stuff you āhave to doā so can make the most of every day. As our neighbour said at his 90th birthday bash he was āgoing for the tonā (100 in the U.K.) – Iām sure youāre aiming for the same thing Neil!
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“Going for the ton” is a great expression. I hope we both reach that magic number!
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I can relate. Great piece. Hope you had a joyful Christmas. Happy New Year!
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Hi Denise, and thanks. All the best to you and yours.
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Maybe don’t think of it as 75, how about “Three Quarters of a Century.”
Many happy returns, man, and think, here you are, after all those years, still capable of enjoying sunsets on the Cape, a good rock tune, writing a good cogent post and walking around just for the fun of spotting cool trucks and signs. I’d call that a very good sign! Best wishes for the new year, Neil.
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Rock and roll will never die!
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Right on!
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It’s amazing how our perception of time changes as we age. Cheers to the exclusive Four Percent Club! Cheers for another year well-lived! Cheers for the New Year ahead!
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It’s hard to believe that 2023 is only 5 days away. Wishing you the best in the new year!
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Iāve made it longer than many of my friends and most of the people I truly admire ā¦ I try to keep that in mind as I hurl toward the unknown! I hope this year is a joy for you!!!
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Happy New Year, JT! All the best.
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Wow.
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Hey, Martie. Here’s to a real good 2023!
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That stunning song instantly made my “primo” playlist! Thank you for your continuing sublime musical suggestions. And for continuing to show us how to enjoy life by registering and appreciating the beauty of small things around us.
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Great to hear from you, as always, Paula. The Heavy Heavy has some good management behind them, it seems. They recently were on the Kimmel and Colbert late night shows, and performed Miles And Miles there. I didn’t see them, but I might watch the clips on YouTube. Happy New Year!
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I can so-ooo relate to this post. I was 20. I blinked. I was 40. I blinked again. I was 60. I . . . sigghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh . . . God bless, my friend.
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As they say, there’s no holding back the hands of time.
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As my mother used to say, “Consider the alternative”! Having recently turned 72, I definitely feel the years passing by as well, but remaining immature is my secret to staying young š Happy 2023, and rock on! Alisa
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Your secret is now out in the open. I like it!
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Methuselah here! I took a look at that very cool website and discovered that, at 76, I’m older than 97% of the population. For some reason, that cracks me up.
When I turned about 69, I wrote this to someone: “Iām down to about twenty years now, give or take, and getting in shape, preserving the good health I have, and not wasting time on the stupid, the boring, or the irrelevant is right up there on top of my list. If I manage to avoid stupid, boring, and irrelevant, Iāll have plenty of time for whatās important.” Now, seven years down the road, I wouldn’t change a word.
Here’s to a great new year filled with everything that’s opposite of stupid, boring, and irrelevant!
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Your words, and your approach to life, are right on the money. You know what you’re doing. You’ve got it right!
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That link was scary!
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It’s an amazing website. I’m glad I stumbled upon it.
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It is amazing how quickly time goes by now, isn’t it? But just keep living your life, and don’t worry about how many people are younger or older than you. It takes some doing (I still remember the first time I met a doctor who looked all of 16 and realized that this “baby” was now in charge of my health), but trust me, it’s the best way. My mom is 92 and still going strong……
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Right, it’s not good, and of little use, to dwell upon the inevitable fate awaiting all of us. I think about it, but I don’t dwell.
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I checked out that website and I’m older than 89% of the people on the planet. Not sure how I feel about that! You’re so right though, time flies. I guess we just have to keep living life to the fullest and enjoying every moment, right? On that note, I hope you have a wonderful 2023, full of adventure, peace and everything that makes you happy. I look forward to reading your blogs!
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Hi there, and thanks a lot for your input. Yup, we should keep on trucking as best we can. See ya. Happy New Year!
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You’re an example to us all, Neil! Keep on keeping on dispensing wisdom from those upper reaches of the demographic – they’re sorely needed in this troubled age. And look forward to your further dispatches next year!
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Happy New Year to you and Alison. Will the two of you go out somewhere on New Year’s Eve?
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And to you and Sandy! We might go to the local pub for a while, but our days of scrumming down with the tourists in Princes Street at the bells have loooong gone…!
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You don’t sound the least bit 96 percent. Lord, if you’re 96%, what does that make my 87 year old dad and 80 year old .mom? Close to the jumping off point is what it sounds like they are. Lordy, Lord. I’ll bet you and my parents have a lot more years though.
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Hi. Thanks for stopping by. And thanks for the longevity wishes!
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Hi, Neil. Iām feeling my own mortality much more lately. Comes with the territory I guess!
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We ain’t getting any younger!
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Congratulations on making it as far as you have, that needs to be said. It sucks getting old. I guess that the one good thing about it is that I’ve been around long enough to have figured a lot of things out. My knowledge is vast and deep, and there’s a lot be said for that. Sometimes, people say that they’re content with what they’ve done, and they look back with no regrets. I have plenty of regrets, and can only see how much more there is to learn and do and understand, and so little time.
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Hi Jeff. Yeah, life in many ways has no boundaries. Itās up to us to decide how far we want to go. I havenāt lost my zest for life, and Iām lucky to be interested in quite a few things. I sure hope it stays that way. See ya.
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Although the mirror says otherwise, age is how you feel. At seventy five years young, you’re what 96% of the world aspire to be š
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I like your way of looking at it. Thanks!
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In my college days (after the wheel was invented and before the Internet appeared), there was a popular poster seen in many a dorm room, including mine. The pic was a kitten clinging by one paw to something–I think it was a tree. The caption: “Hang onto life for all it’s worth.” I guess the trick question is, if you didn’t know how old you are, how old do you feel? I seem to be eternally around 34 in my head.
Nothing is assured in this life, so just love what you do and have a damn good time. Happy 2023, Neil!
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All the best, Amy. Onward we go!
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The only thing I can say to you fella, is keep moving (I know you will). Now to that cut. Nice to hear some real music. Good that it’s still being made. A feel good tune for sure. It’ll get you moving. It did me. Later. Roger Wilco. Over and out. CB
(Who the hell is Roger Wilco?)
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I think that Roger Wilco is related to Jeff Tweedy!?
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Thanks for that fella.
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Happy New Year, Neil! Aaaaand HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY! That site is great.
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All the best, Kathy. Here’s to a WordPressing 2023!
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I also find it unsettling how quickly time seems to zip by these days and how it seemingly goes by faster each year. Happy New Year Neil! Hope you have a wonderful 2023!
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Hi. Thanks a lot. All the best to you.
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May you look back on your life and count your blessings for many more New Year’s to come.
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Thanks very much. I wish you the same.
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