10 signs of aging gracefully

When it comes to aging gracefully, forget the face creams, hair colors and exercises — the physical manifestations others see as we rack up the years. Instead, I prefer to focus on a different kind of trait that others see, one I think trumps the physical when considering how gracefully others are aging and how gracefully I'm aging myself.

That trait? It's attitude. For, as age is just a number, aging gracefully is just an attitude.

So when it comes to having the right attitude as I age, I look to the signs. Signs such as the following ten, which remind me of what’s important, what I need to remember as I attempt to age gracefully... as well as graciously, intentionally, hopefully.

Sign No. 10:

Sign No. 9:

Sign No. 8:

Sign No. 7:

Sign No. 6:

Sign No. 5:

Sign No. 4:

Sign No. 3:

Sign No. 2:

And the No. 1 sign of aging gracefully, the one I do my best to live by, day in and day out:

Today's question:

What does aging gracefully mean to you?

Quotes and kids

As has been the case for millions around the country, the last four years have been pretty much economic <cuss> for my husband and me, as I was laid off from my well-paying job in 2008 and haven't returned to full-time work since. It's been a challenge, to say the least.

Every once in a while, though, we get good news, have our prayers answered. Yesterday, exactly that happened. The news won't change our lives, but it certainly lightened our load, made our hearts happy and full.

So no profundities from me today, my friends, just a smattering of recent photos of my favorite boys along with a few of my favorite quotes. I'm hoping the positivity will keep my heart light yet full as long as possible.

Perhaps it will do the same for yours.

Sometimes grace works like water wings when you feel as if you are sinking. ~ Anne Lamott

Strive not to be a success but rather to be of value. ~ Albert Einstein

Most of the shadows of this life are caused by standing in one's own sunshine. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

By perseverance the snail reached the ark. ~ Charles H. Spurgeon

For peace of mind, resign as general manager of the universe. ~ Larry Eisenberg

Here is the test to find whether your mission on earth is finished: If you're alive, it isn't. ~ Richard Bach

All sunshine makes a desert. ~ Arab proverb

From what we get, we can make a living; from what we give, however, makes a life. ~ Arthur Ashe

The last of the human freedoms is to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances. ~ Viktor Frankl

To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Laughter is a tranquilizer with no side effects. ~ Arnold Glasgow

There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. ~ Albert Einstein

This post linked to Grandparents Say It Saturday

Today's question:

What is one of your favorite quotes?

Wisdom and wit

While Pinterest, my latest social media obsession, may be the mecca of all things crafty and oh-so-worth cooking, it's also an awesome spot for finding words of insight and inspiration. And you know how I love words...especially in the form of quotes. (And if you didn't know, well, now you do. See? You learn something new every single day here on Grandma's Briefs.)

Here for your reading pleasure are some recently discovered words of wisdom and wit, pinned for future pondering on my Pinterest board titled Food for Thought (attribution given when available):

What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday.

It isn't that I'm not a people person, I'm just not a stupid people person.

Girls are like apples on trees. The best ones are at the top of the tree. The boys don't want to reach for the good ones because they are afraid of falling and getting hurt. Instead, they just get the rotten apples from the ground that aren't as good, but easy. So the apples at the top think something is wrong with them, when in reality, they're amazing. They just have to wait for the right boy to come along, the one who's brave enough to climb all the way to the top of the tree.

(Mothers of daughters, tell your daughters that one. Often. Mothers of sons, urge your sons to be brave. Always.)

You gotta stop wearing your wishbone where your backbone oughta be. ~Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. ~Albert Einstein

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me." ~Erma Bombeck

Success isn't just about what you accomplish in your life, it's about what you inspire others to do.

PS: If you tried to join Pinterest and were told you've been added to the waitlist, email me and I'll send you an invitation that should allow you to bypass the wait...no strings attached.

Photo: stock.xchng

Today's question:

Where do you like to go for wisdom and/or wit?