What Aging Reveals About Joy, Regret and Purpose - A Boomer Looking Back and Living Forward

Lately I find myself doing a lot of reflecting. I suppose that’s natural as we get older and become more aware of how much time we have left. The truth is, there are regrets—plenty of them. But there are also so many wonderful moments too. Somehow, though, the regrets have a way of trying to steal the spotlight.

I catch myself wishing I could go back, fix my mistakes, and apologize to people I may have hurt along the way. Would that make me feel lighter? Maybe. But then I remind myself of what we’re told again and again: live in the moment. We can’t change the past. And sure, that makes sense—now is all we really have. But let’s be honest: forgetting the past and staying fully present? That’s not always so easy.

In your 70s, little aches and pains you used to shrug off seem to demand more attention. And then there’s the fear—a fear that one routine checkup could deliver a diagnosis that changes everything. It’s a lot to carry some days.

But there’s another side to this chapter of life. If you’ve been fortunate enough to set aside some savings, there’s freedom in that—freedom from worrying about paying the bills, freedom to explore hobbies you never had time for, and maybe even the joy of giving to people or causes you care about.

And then there are grandchildren. Oh, the blessing of grandchildren. It’s a love so pure, it’s almost impossible to put into words.

We’ve also gathered some wisdom over the years. We’ve lived, we’ve learned, and we want to share those lessons with our kids and grandkids. But here’s the thing: they want to figure life out for themselves. And that’s okay. We were the same way.

Of course, it’s hard not to worry about the world they’re inheriting. Remember how our grandparents used to say, “The world’s going to hell in a handbasket”? Back then, we rolled our eyes. But now we catch ourselves thinking the same thing.

Growing up, we were taught to respect the president, trust the government, and believe that good would always win out over evil. But history tells a messier story, doesn’t it? We lived through the 60s—riots, assassinations, and so much division.

So here we are in our 70s, playing the hand we’ve been dealt, trying to turn it into something good. We still have so much to give to our families and to our communities. How we do that is up to each of us. And yes, there will be days when health struggles or family drama get us down. There will be times when our advice is brushed aside. But that doesn’t mean we stop trying.

The truth is, keeping a positive attitude is more than just nice—it’s critical. It changes how we experience life. We can’t fix the whole world, and we probably won’t change anyone’s mind by lecturing. But we can change how we see things.

So here’s my advice: live in the moment as best you can. Be grateful. Find things that bring you joy. Don’t let the past or future drag you down. Nobody wants to become that grumpy “get off my lawn” neighbor.

Keep moving—literally. Our bodies are made for it. And keep your mind full of good thoughts. You can’t rewrite your past, but you can rewrite how you feel about it. Every mistake, every loss, every triumph shaped you into who you are right now. And who you are is enough.

This stage of life brings gifts: love, wisdom, freedom, relationships, and legacy. You can share those gifts with others in ways big or small. And as you watch the younger generations grow, know this: you get to choose how you see your life.

You be you. People say that like it’s a throwaway line, but I mean it in the best way: accept yourself. Be proud of the person you’ve become. There’s never been another you, and there never will be. That makes you pretty extraordinary.

Love yourself. And watch how others follow your lead.