Mid-life Without the Crisis

It really isn't the destination, but the journey. May be cliche, but it's true.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Aging Well

A man's age is something impressive, it sums up his life:  maturity reached slowly and against many obstacles, illnesses cured, griefs and despairs overcome, and unconscious risks taken; maturity formed through so many desires, hopes, regrets, forgotten things, loves.  A man's age represents a fine cargo of experiences and memories.  ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

There's a song we used to sing in church when I was growing up.  "Count your blessings, name them one by one..."  I thought I'd count some of the ways that it's actually really neat to be middle-aged.

  1. My self-esteem is no longer based on what the other kids think of me.
  2. After many, many years together, I no longer am concerned that my husband will stop loving me.
  3. I actually like having an "empty nest" because the room formerly known as my daughter's bedroom is now my super cool office.
  4. I can try all sorts of new things, give them up, and move on to other things without being thought of as a flighty young woman, but instead as an adventurous older woman.
  5. I like me more now than I ever did when I was a young woman.
  6. I get to live vicariously through the adventures of my adult daughter, and also share my own adventures with my mother.
  7. I really get how much my parents did for us kids.
  8. I'm not afraid to reach out to other people and make friends.
  9. I'm not afraid to speak up for myself.
  10. Men seem to just keep getting better looking with age - my husband included.  ;)
  11. I can re-read a book or re-watch a movie and probably enjoy it as if I've never seen it before because I probably won't remember half of it.
  12. I realize that life is too short for bad literature, obnoxious people, stupid guidelines, or saying no to dessert.
  13. Okay, I cry at sad movies...and TV shows....and sometimes commercials.  So what?
  14. It's really fun to start working on checking off bucket list items.
  15. I like being the middle aged woman who just started running because it makes me feel like one of those inspirational women you'd read about in a magazine.
 I have to agree with David Coverdale of Whitesnake.  These truly are "the best years of my life."

3 comments:

Salzypat said...

I'm much older than you, but I can tell you what's great about being 70+ years:

1. My kids and others finally recognize maybe I DID know what I was talking about when I gave them advice.

2. People who lie and say "I would never have guessed you to be that age - I maybe would have guessed mid to late 50s." :-)

3. I am a kinder and gentler 70+ year old than I was a 20 or 40+ year old. I realize that many things in life just aren't important enough to throw a fit over.

4. On the other hand, I am no longer afraid to stick up for myself and what I believe. I 'know' who I am and I rather like myself.

5. It's frustrating that the body won't work the way it used to, but in exchange, I am forced to think and act on a more spiritual level.

There are more - but enough is enough.(something else you learn as you age) :-)

J.R. Davis said...

Awesome! Looks like life really does begin at 40 and I have lots more to learn and look forward to. Thanks, Pat.

Kathy Fain said...

I kind of like my life as well. I have a husband that sticks by me, even though I'm not the easiest person to live with. I have a son who is sweet and well-behaved (mostly), and a stable income that pays the bills and leaves a little for my sweet tea addiction. Can't complain a whole lot.

Thanks Judy for helping me to count my blessings.