At the time of this writing, I’m a good four months away from my 42nd birthday. I’m told this is no longer old. I heard something about 40 being the new 30 (perhaps the new 20, even). That’s comforting but despite all this talk about age being just a number, I have noticed some subtle changes in my memory over the past year or so.
The Memory Never Fails – I Think
Struggling to find the right word is one thing but I’ve noticed another little side effect of my journey into middle age. I think I remember certain rules or how certain things are done but ends up I have them backwards. Just the other day I was convinced that a particular set of accident facts always fell under collision coverage. (If you hadn’t guessed already, I work in auto insurance.) I knew it cold from memory and I was 100% positive I was right.In the past year or so, I’ve found myself struggling for a word here and there. I’ll actually have to stop and think of the word I want to say – right in the middle of a conversation. It always comes but it’s a little frustrating at times. I’m not used to being at a loss for words.
Whoopsie!
Turns out that set of accidents facts is always handled under comprehensive coverage. How could I have gotten something like that completely bass ackwards? Unprecedented. Unbelievable. The horrah!
That Little Voice in My Head
Enough, Chicken Little. Just means I need to listen to the voice of principle (aka The Holy Spirit) when it whispers its wisdom to me. Case in point, while my memory told me, “Fear not, it’s collision. There can be no doubt!” another voice (of reason) was telling me the exact opposite. That voice wanted me to look at the logic of the situation and understand this was a comp claim. I ignored it because my memory was “always” right.
Luckily, someone else got involved and saved the day for our esteemed customer. His claim was indeed a comprehensive loss and was covered as such. I hope he left happy although he was inconvenienced by my stubbornness. For that I’m deeply sorry. It’s a great example of how refusing to “Let go and let God” actually hurt someone else.
Is it time for me to lament over this chink in my armor?
I Lost But I Gained As Well
Well, that certainly is a possible response. It’s not fun to begin to lose something that’s served me so well for so long. Fortunately for what I’ve lost in memory I’ve gained in wisdom, in spirituality and in love. How could I possibly lament over that?
It’s ok to let go because the Holy Spirit’s voice will tell me to use the reason of my heart and mind to find whatever answers I may need. One day I will no longer be able to name even half of the 12 players on the original “Dream Team” but that’s ok because I’ll be loved for who I am – a guy trying to use his gifts to share the good news and get to heaven.
God bless,
Question: How have you coped with the realization that some of your physical or mental capabilities are not quite what they used to be? I’d love to read your story in the form of a comment below…
