Forty.
The symbolism of the number forty: the waiting, the preparation, the test, or the punishment; the completion of a significant time period.
The number forty, and its symbolism, is prominent throughout the Bible: the forty days/nights of rain, flooding the earth; the forty days Moses spent on the mountain; the forty years Israel wandered the wilderness; the spies searched forty days for Canaan; the forty years David reigned as King, as did his son, Solomon; Jesus fasted forty days in the desert; He was tempted for forty days, and forty days after the resurrection, Jesus ascended.
Reflecting on the past forty years, I have to ask myself, “Have I passed the test?” “Am I prepared for what lies ahead?” My kids think I am SO old, but my grandparents think I am SO young…hence the monikor “middle-aged”?
Well, I have done a few things, made a few mistakes, learned a lesson or two, and I am pretty confident that I’m prepared for whatever lies ahead. No agonizing or lamenting the turn of the decade here. After a weekend of celebrating, there was time to reflect. While many of these may seem trite or cliché, they still ring true. Here are a few things I have come to know in this life, so far:
40. When my mom turned 40, I was 13. She seemed so OLD (as I’m sure my children feel), but I don’t “feel” like I thought I would at 40.
39. I want to teach my children more than I was taught…about everything.
38. The more I learn, the less I know.37. I am about 80 % comfortable in my own skin, and about WHO I am.
36. Education is a good thing. Get it while you can. Always keep learning something new.
35. There is nothing like having your child fall asleep on your chest, or in your arms.
34. Talk to your grandparents while you can. They possess a ton of wisdom.
33. Unanswered prayers can be the greatest blessings we receive.32. No one “LIVES” in a clean house.
31. I have a unique perspective on technology: rotary to cell phones; letters to emails; Atari to Xbox; 8-track to mp3...I could go on…
30. Burn the best candles. Use the good dishes. Don’t save it for a special occasion…TODAY is special.
29. It’s hardly ever quiet enough. Many things are much too loud!
28. It’s ok to laugh at yourself…laugh, laugh, laugh…it’s good for your heart. You can’t take life too seriously. Find the humor in your situation.
27. Cryptic crosswords and Sudoku are increasingly more diverting entertainment.
26. What other people think of you is really none of your business.25. Take deep breaths. It calms the mind.
24. 6:00 AM is when you get UP, NOT when you go to bed…this is painful if you don’t adjust.
23. Sleeping on the couch now makes your back ache.
22. Living life to the fullest takes effort and purpose on my part. This is NOT a spectator sport. You must be an ACTIVE participant.
21. Remember your failures. Learn from them, so as not to repeat them.
“You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.”~~Zen saying
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| Oma's 90th birthday (me approaching 40) |
20. Being wrong is ok (on occasion).
19. There is an ART to moving a household, and relocating across the country (multiple times).
18. Age is not a number, but an attitude, a frame of mind.
17. Children keep you young.
16. There is always Hope.
15. Forgive everyone everything.
14. True friends will love you no matter WHAT you do.
13. Love is a gift, I am LOADED.
12. Do what is right, even when the other person doesn’t.
11. Study, learn, and do things that give you JOY.
10. Being organized can help your daily life immensely, but so can spontaneity. An equal measure of both is better.
9. Be passionate about SOMETHING.
8. Do what you SAY you are going to do.
7. Give more than you take.
6. I still have a lot to learn.
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| Holding Daddy Up! |
5. Your children only get ONE childhood...make it THE most memorable one possible.
4. Take the opportunity and make a point to tell those you love how you feel about them...every chance you get.
3. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. Thankfully, God never blinks. (see #4)
2. The hardest, most excruciating, and tiring experiences often double as the most rewarding, satisfying, and meaningful.
1. Be THANKful for all that you have, and demonstrate your gratitude often.
“You are as happy as you make your mind up to be.”~~Mark Twain
Here’s to HALFTIME!!
