Act Your Age

What does this mean anyway, to me, a 39 year old woman with an aversion to being told what to do? What "box" should I stuff myself into that will conform me to society's whim regarding how I should behave at my age? Who made up the standard? Why was my opinion not considered? Because, quite frankly, if I'm to act my age, or in any way the status quo believes I should, my opinion should matter. And, in my opinion, acting my age is the least of my concerns. I'm more intent on "being"-laughing, adventures, friends around a bonfire toasting to whatever we deem toastworthy. Throwing a tennis ball over and over again because my dog never tires of fetch and I never tire of his absolute joy. There's my 4 year old neighbor and I squatting down to watch a beetle's journey thru dead leaves on the front lawn. Or my daughter negotiating her allowance like a pro. I'm almost compelled to say yes to her terms, her argument is so good...almost. None of these moments required me to "act my age". They were made possible because I was present to the moment-the number of years I've spent on this planet notwithstanding. So, the next time you want me to act my age, go jump in a lake. I might be jumping in too! :)