Over the Hill

July 28, 2018, 11:54 am

By Rita Peters

There are significant points from the time we are born and continuing throughout our lives that are described as developmental stages, affecting our physical, emotional, social, and thinking abilities. Each stage provides us with skills for the next level of growth, from the development of our personality, and use of our ever-changing physical abilities, to learning how to relate to others, and discovering what makes us unique and valued. I titled this article "over-the-hill" to talk about the joys of growing older.

There's a great moment in the movie The Bucket List when Morgan Freeman's character tells Jack Nicholson's character of the two questions asked when entering the entrance to heaven; "Have you found joy in your life? Has your life brought joy to others?" There are many ways to measure our lives, but I find these questions to be so very important as I look at what my life has been and continues to be about.

One of the advantages of growing older is that we have had many experiences, not all have been good and not all have been bad, but each has given us an opportunity to learn something important. What we do with that knowledge can make all the difference. So, what does "over-the-hill" mean? According to some definitions, "past one's prime," "no longer able to compete or keep up with a younger generation," and "advanced in age." Sounds too limiting and as though there is nothing left once we hit that magic older age, whatever that may be.

The truth is that when one reaches the top of a hill, exploring the other side can be exhilarating, moving without the cares of youth (no need to impress the peers anymore,) discovering new joys (no fast track here,) and being grateful for each step along the journey (being "in the moment" instead of keeping track of the number of steps taken each day.)

So, the plan is to continue the Over the Hill feature in each edition of the Crossroads Journal, with a variety of topics that are or may be supportive to those who are more mature and wanting a common ground to learn and enjoy life together. Who knows, this may develop into a great social support! Email your ideas for future topics in this column to: 3wllws@gmail.com

The community news source for Eagle Mountain Utah, Saratoga Springs Utah, Lehi Utah, American Fork Utah, Highland Utah, Alpine Utah, and The Cedar Valley, including Cedar Fort Utah and Fairfield Utah. Copyright 2025 The Crossroads Journal LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Over the Hill

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