February is my birthday month. 

So, I thought I’d share some witty quotes regarding birthdays and aging. It’s another post on the lighter side.

As you can tell, I don’t mind laughing at myself a little along the way. Recently a new friend said, “I’ve got to tell you. You actually look a lot younger in person than you do on social media.” I simply chuckled and drove away in my minivan. Like Forrest Gump, that’s all I have to say about that.

1. “The only time you really live fully is from thirty to sixty. The young are slaves to dreams; the old servants of regrets. Only the middle-aged have all their five senses in the keeping of their wits” (Theodore Roosevelt). That makes good sense, but I’m sure those who are under 30 and over 60 would like a chance at rebuttal.

2. “I’m a chubby middle-aged white guy with short hair. I think that’s it, really. I kind of have a look. Right now, I’m not fat enough to be the fat friend, but I’m not thin enough to be the leading man, so I look like a cop” (Aaron Douglas). I sort of resemble Mr. Douglas’ lament.

3. “Almost all my middle-aged and elderly acquaintances, including me, feel about 25 unless we haven’t had our coffee, in which case we feel 107” (Martha Beck). Mrs. Beck makes a valid point, even though the 107 is an exaggeration. I will concede that I’m not ready for any type of socialization until I’ve had my coffee and devotional time. It’s Jesus and java first, or nothing and nobody.

4. “The old believe everything, the middle-aged suspect everything, the young know everything” (Oscar Wilde). Perhaps I’m not old enough to verify this statement.

5. “Men who are orthodox when they are young are in danger of being middle-aged all their lives” (Walter Lippmann). Thanks, Walter. You’ve aptly described me and I’m okay with being middle-aged for the remainder of my days.

6. “Being middle-aged is about realizing that you’ve lived most of your life. You don’t have as much time in front of you as you have behind you” (Julianne Moore). It’s a bit of a morbid thought, but it makes me want me to want to enjoy life more.

7. “For all the advances in medicine, there is still no cure for the common birthday” (John Glenn). That’s a spacey thought. Now I’m wondering about the effect of spending too much time away from gravity. I’m canceling my trip to the moon.

8. “Life would be infinitely better if we could be born at the age of 80 and gradually approach 18” (Mark Twain). Mr. Clemens, what a novel thought!

9. “A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life” (Muhammad Ali). That’s a pretty smart perspective, Mr. Clay. I wish you had retired sooner and not suffered those boxing-related brain injuries.

10. “Aging seems to be the only available way to live a long life” (Kitty Collins). How astute! However, I’ve been born again and I’m gonna die, no never. I’m gonna live forever.

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I suppose I could be one of the oddest fellows that some of you know, as I am actually starting to enjoy the fact that I’m getting older.

I’m madly in love and this romance with Lisa continues to grow. Also, I’m starting to adjust to parenting adult children. Lastly, I believe that my greatest days of ministry are ahead of me, so bring on the birthdays! Well, maybe just one day at a time, sweet Jesus…

These quotes were not arranged in any particular order, and no animals were harmed in the process of creating this article.

Which quote is your favorite? Which one made you chuckle? Are you enjoying the aging process? Comment below, and let’s chat about it.

Let’s rejoice in God’s goodness and grow older together.