Bruce Springsteen celebrated his 75th birthday last month.
And heres what he says about growing old.
“Age.
Age brings perspective.
And the fine clarity one gets at midnight…on the tracks…looking into the lights of an oncoming train.
It dawns on you rather quickly.
Theres only so much time left.
Only so many star filled nights….snowfalls…brisk fall afternoons…rainy midsummer days.
So how you conduct yourself…and do your work..matters.
How you treat your friends, your family, your lover.
On GOOD days, a blessing falls over you ..it wraps its arms around you and you are free and deeply in, and OF this world.
Thats your reward….Being here.
Thats what gets you up the next morning.
A new chance to receive that benediction.
While you’re buttering your toast….getting dressed…or driving home from work.
You stumble into those moments, when you can feel the hand of God gently rest upon your shoulder.
And you realize how lucky you are..lucky to be alive.
Lucky to be breathing in this world of beauty, horror, and hope.
Because THIS is what there is.
A chance.
A world where its lucky to love.
Lucky to be loved.
So you go…until it fills you.
Until the sweat, blood, and hard tears…makes sense.
You go until the light from the fading distant stars falls at your feet.
Go.
And may God bless you.”
Bruce Springsteen
