When we are young, every day we look forward to the adventure that lies before us. We may find ourselves daydreaming of different scenarios, some real and some a wild fantasy. We are convinced that life is meant to be lived at top speed otherwise, it is boring.
Maybe that is why kids run more than they walk. They have a sense of urgency to see, do, and experience as many things as possible. The younger the child, the shorter the attention span.
In our twenties, we tend to start looking around at what is outside of our immediate grasp. We are able to recognize the fact that some things are worth spending more time and attention to detail on. The list of things we keep in our life that provide immediate gratification tends to get smaller as we focus on bigger goals.
In our thirties, we are getting more comfortable with looking forward to even greater goals, and accepting of the daily routine the invariably sets in. Only the very astute recognize the routine as a mark of how far we have come, thus far. For those open-minded individuals, it is this routine that they use as a springboard that launches them into the future.
When a person turns forty, a shift in perspective begins to take place. It’s a peculiar phenomenon that is gradual for some, but for others it is quite dramatic. I believe that this phenomenon has been studied by many psychologists, and has received several different labels, depending on the effect that it seems to have on individuals. I think the most famous label is “mid-life crisis”.
I think in our forties, this change in perspective can be beneficial. It tends to make us take a long look at our daily routine, and reassess whether or not it is still helping us to achieve the goals that we have set for ourselves. It also gives us cause to re-evaluate whether those goals are still applicable; sometimes they are not.
This kind of analysis can cause major changes in a person’s life. To others it may look like a form of mental illness; especially if the forty-something looks like they are panicked; hence, the term mid-life crisis.
To make the most of life, one needs to keep a positive attitude, and learn from their mistakes. If you can do that, then I think life flows pretty smoothly.
I am finding in my forties, I’ll be 47 in May, that I handle the unexpected with less grace than I used to. I still have big goals for my life, but I get tired of the struggle when things don’t go as planned.
While it’s true that I seem to have more on my plate now than I did most of my life, I feel that I am in a transition phase. For my whole adult career, I have been an electronics technician. It’s a great job, and I love the people that I work with, but I have new dreams on the horizon.
These new dreams have only come into view about 5 years ago, and they center on the kind of life/retirement I want to have with my husband. The kids are gone, we are living where we want to grow old, and we just want to spend more time together; working on the farm, fishing, or just having fun, it doesn’t matter.
I want to work from home. Changing the lives of people as a health coach is extremely satisfying, and I can see myself doing this for many years. It is my goal for it to be my major source of income; that would allow me to have more time with my husband.
Well, right now, every day is very busy. We manage, most days, to get through the day with a sense of humor. Some days don’t turn out as planned; most of the time I can roll with the punches. But there are some days that I don’t handle the unexpected very well.
The challenges that arise feel like a pop quiz on the lessons I have been learning thus far in life. No one likes a pop quiz. If we are honest about the result, it shows us how far we have come, and where the weaknesses are on the way into the future. It will test the honesty you have with yourself about your perspective on life. If you get a curve on your grade, it occurs when you admit that you got lazy and quit on yourself, and you take up your charge again to live life moving forward towards your goals.
Let’s just say that, with all that has been happening lately, I have been feeling overwhelmed. I feel that there has been no time to rest and recharge; no time for fun. I kind of got to a breaking point at the end of last week. I needed some down time, some non-thinking time, some cuddle with my husband time, some getting in the dirt pulling weeds and planting flowers.
I did all that and it helped reset me. It was Monday before I even realized that I had forgotten to blog about my week. I apologize for leaving you hanging. This week’s post was about just getting some things out of my head. Next week I will bring you up to date on all that is happening around the farm.
I have a renewed sense being organized and staying on track with my goals. It is my faith in God that gives me hope and keeps me stepping up to the challenges every day. He is my rock and the foundation for the life I am building.
May you have a blessed weekend and next week.
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you” says the lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
