Old Life - New Life: 10 Random Ways I've Changed Over Time

We all change. Granted, some folks are more stubborn than others. Even mules grow up, though. By no means is this a comprehensive list. It's only some random ways I've changed over my first nearly thirty seven years.  Tell me one or two ways you've changed.

Once I watched M.A.S.H. at 4:00, 4:30, and 7:30 every weeknight
Now I have not owned a TV for years

Once I loved McDonald's sausage biscuits for breakfast
Now I've not been near a McDonald's for years

Once (junior high through high school) I didn't read much at all
Now I read quite a bit

Once I fished regularly (lakes, mountains, piers, deep sea)
Now I never fish

Once I played video games every weekend at The Yellow Brick Road
Now I never play video games

Once I thought I might program computers for a living
Now I don't regret dropping out of Pascal

Once I golfed a minimum of once a week
Now I don't play more than once a year

Once I cared about buying a new car
Now I would never buy a new car

Once I shaved my legs and rode my bike 200 miles a week
Now I don't own a bike (though I would if I had more time and money)

Once I cared about being successful
Now I care about being influential

Comments

[Thomasina]

I once practised two musical instruments for hours a day.
Now I barely touch them from one month to the next (although if I had a piano in my home I'd play it – not practise it! – every day).

I once (we're talking school, uni, early work years) loathed holidays – they took me away from everything I loved doing and all the people I wanted to be with.
Now I look forward to the much-needed opportunities to recharge.

[JB]

Once, I wanted to stand out as distinctive for not-so-positive reasons: wild hair styles/colors, tattoos, piercings, clothing.
Now, I want to stand out as distinctive for positive reasons: intelligence, abilities, talent.

Once, I thought I was going to make a living as a rock star.
Now, like Thomasina, although I still have my gear, I hardly play or write.

Once, I was very materialistic and thought happiness came from things.
Now, I am very spiritual and understand that happiness comes from within and it comes when you decide to experience it NOW.

Great post--very thought-provoking.

[Cherylkay]

I can agree with the fishing - fished throughout my childhood - haven't dropped a line in the water in over 20 years.
Music: went to concerts and played piano and clarinet - haven't done any of that in 20 years.

[April in Autumn]

"Once I cared about being successful
Now I care about being influential"

I love that idea. I don't know whether I care about either a lot right now, but I'd very much like to care about being influential once I find out what I want to influence.

[kathleencain]

Once I drank myself half to death nearly every night of the week for years and years.

Now I haven't had a drop in over a decade and don't plan to, ever again.

Once I defined myself by the men I was with and put my needs, my life, and my ambitions to rest to make myself into what I thought they would want.

Now, what you see is what you get.

Once, I needed to surround myself with material things to assure myself of success, and to show others of my success.

Now I am confortable with small, internal successes, and I don't need to show anyone.

Once I never belived that I would ever be happy with less money.

Now I am.