You probably noticed it first in the men of your dad’s generation. No matter what subject came up or how little he knew about it, such a man had an opinion about it. And not just a mild opinion, either. His views were firm and strong and he proclaimed them with conviction, like a hot Gospel preacher at a camp meeting.
Now perhaps you’ve noticed that as you get older you have an unpleasant habit of having opinions on all things too, and feel your opinion must be heard no less than the men who came before you.
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What causes us to do that? Do
we really know so much more? Are we just trying to keep from getting run over verbally by all the other men our age who are similarly afflicted?
Has our experience been gained at such great personal expense that we can’t see ourselves shuffling off our mortal coils without sharing our opinions with everybody we know; several times, in case they don’t get it the first time? And what if we are right in at least some of our views? Is it really that important that everyone around us knows that?
I was pondering these questions a while back when I came across a letter that addresses them and a few others as well. It is from the Spiritual Letters section of www.library onlineinc.com. I first saw this “letter to God” in the April 2004 edition of Harper’s Magazine. I found it useful in a humorous way.
Perhaps you will too.
Dear Lord,
You know me better than I know myself that I am growing older and will some day be old.
Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking that I must say something on every subject and on every occasion.
Release me from craving to straighten out everybody’s affairs.
Make me thoughtful but not moody; helpful but not bossy.
With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all, but you know Lord that I want a few friends at the end.
Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point.
Seal my lips on my aches and pains. They are increasing, and love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by.
I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of other’s pains, but to help me endure them with patience.
I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility and a lessening cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others.
Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally, I may be mistaken.
Keep me reasonably sweet; I do not want to be a saint – some of them are so hard to live with – but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of evil.
Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected people and give me, O Lord, the grace to tell them so.
AMEN
Edmonton-based Noel McNaughton speaks at conventions and for corporations on Farming/Ranching at Midlife – Strategies for a Successful Second Age. He can be reached at 780-432-5492, e-mail noel@midlife-men.com or visit www.midlife-men.com.
