At Least For

Someone I love dearly recently gave me this bit of advice.

“You should do just what you want to do at this time of life, and stop worrying.”

As I listened, I wondered if it would be possible to take his well intentioned suggestion which had also been echoed by one of his siblings.

I cannot remember when I didn’t live by rules, some self imposed, some mandated by society and in earlier days, insisted on by my Mother.

Now at this surprising late stage of life, when I acknowledge the years, but still cannot quite comprehend how I survived so long, I feel it difficult to relinquish the chains of regime.

Today I calculated the caloric value of coffee. Until this morning I believed a cup of black coffee had zero calories, and now learn I was wrong. According to Lose It, it contains not only four calories per cup but 7.1 mg of sodium. Both reasons to cut back from 3 to 2 cups daily.

However, dwelling on the well intentioned counsel I have been given, I wonder about making that change.

I love coffee. I depend on the first cup to help me enter the world each morning with enthusiasm and a sense of adventure. Without it, I seem to lag with inertia, so why give it up? Not too much of a choice, I ponder.

As I meditate further on the topic, I ultimately decide if I relinquish discipline about one mundane choice, how many far self destructive decisions might follow.

Who knows, I might finally decide to get my nose pierced or perhaps, just perhaps, arrange to have a minute tinge of botox? Especially around the chin.

Or perhaps, something I have always wanted, tango lessons? Surely I can find a local coach on Google? But then will the question of senility arise? Especially if I indulge in suitable attire to enhance my performance.

Or If I revert to my now dormant dependence on Butter Pecan Ice Cream, which is now merely a memory? If that culinary luxury returns to my life, undoubtedly, so will the ten lbs that left with it.

So while I love the advice and am grateful for the suggestion, I think I’m better off keeping the rules that are now deeply embedded in my psyche,

At least for the moment.