Yeah…when we look in a mirror, we don’t see objective reality. We see how we think we look. That mental model takes time to develop, and more time to change, so it always lags reality by several years.
That’s why we sometimes see a photo of ourselves and think, “Oh, God, do I really look like that?” – we initially see it as another person and don’t apply the mental model to it, and reality gives us a nasty surprise.
I know the feeling, it’s depressing looking at old photo’s then looking at one self and see the changes. My mom is an exception to the rule. She weighs less now then in her youth, very petite. And I am careful of what I eat.
@Scaaty_423, My brother came to visit after having not seen him for many years. I was so shocked when I opened the door, I blurted out like an idiot, “Wow! You’ve put on weight!” Fortunately, he forgave me, and also made some lifestyle changes. He and his wife are both fit and trim, and really know how to enjoy life.
@Scaaty_423—-I recently came face to face with that reality. When in my twenties and thirties, I was mostly athlete fit. I ran and I lifted weights regularly. I came across an old photo from the period and I, at first, was wondering who that guy with the guns was. Then I realised, sadly, that time marches on. After I quit smoking and drinking, I gained a hundred pounds. I’m healthy, but joints complain loudly. I wouldn’t want to go back because of the grandkids, but there are some melancholy moments.
The apostle Paul wrote of “gracefully surrendering the things of youth.” We sure do have to surrender them, one way or another – and there’s nothing more pitiful than an old guy still trying to look and act like a young guy.
Getting old is easy; all you have to do is keep breathing. Personally, I’m still working on the “gracefully” part…that’s tough. :)
COWBOY7 about 14 years ago
Put the doughnut down, Grandpa!
GROG Premium Member about 14 years ago
It took that long to realize it?
peter0423 about 14 years ago
Yeah…when we look in a mirror, we don’t see objective reality. We see how we think we look. That mental model takes time to develop, and more time to change, so it always lags reality by several years.
That’s why we sometimes see a photo of ourselves and think, “Oh, God, do I really look like that?” – we initially see it as another person and don’t apply the mental model to it, and reality gives us a nasty surprise.
kab2rb about 14 years ago
I know the feeling, it’s depressing looking at old photo’s then looking at one self and see the changes. My mom is an exception to the rule. She weighs less now then in her youth, very petite. And I am careful of what I eat.
stuart about 14 years ago
@Scaaty_423, My brother came to visit after having not seen him for many years. I was so shocked when I opened the door, I blurted out like an idiot, “Wow! You’ve put on weight!” Fortunately, he forgave me, and also made some lifestyle changes. He and his wife are both fit and trim, and really know how to enjoy life.
So yeah, these things creep up on us.
pawpawbear about 14 years ago
@Scaaty_423—-I recently came face to face with that reality. When in my twenties and thirties, I was mostly athlete fit. I ran and I lifted weights regularly. I came across an old photo from the period and I, at first, was wondering who that guy with the guns was. Then I realised, sadly, that time marches on. After I quit smoking and drinking, I gained a hundred pounds. I’m healthy, but joints complain loudly. I wouldn’t want to go back because of the grandkids, but there are some melancholy moments.
peter0423 about 14 years ago
The apostle Paul wrote of “gracefully surrendering the things of youth.” We sure do have to surrender them, one way or another – and there’s nothing more pitiful than an old guy still trying to look and act like a young guy.
Getting old is easy; all you have to do is keep breathing. Personally, I’m still working on the “gracefully” part…that’s tough. :)
pawpawbear about 14 years ago
Ain’t nuttin’ graceful about it.
@Tigger, still got hair. Wife was grey and silver at thirty though. I called it platinum blonde and made points.
Ermine Notyours about 14 years ago
Just like Sunday’s “Zits” comic.