Don’t wait for a mid-life crisis, initiate one! Let’s see ... I just got a subscription to 17 Magazine, I want a red Corvette convertible, I’m not happy anymore and I’m learning how to break dance ... could this be a mid-life crisis?
What is a “midlife”? It’s when you look in the mirror and see your mother instead of Julia Roberts, Halle Berry or Michelle Pfeiffer. It’s when you notice the liver spots on your hands. It could happen when your last child moves out. It could happen when a close friend or co-worker your age dies. It’s when you start asking, “What’s my purpose? Why am I unfulfilled? Why am I so unhappy?”
Unfortunately, for many people a midlife crisis “happens” unexpectedly and ends up destroying a marriage, a family, a child, a friend, a vibrant life.
Why not avoid the midlife crisis by initiating your own “Mid-Life Metamorphosis”? Don’t wait for the straw that broke the camel's back; don’t wait for some epiphany – get ahead of the curve and make it happen now! How?
Perhaps it’s time to ask brutal questions now. Are you working your “slaving job to get your pay,” but miserable? Finding that you “can’t get no satisfaction”? Have you redefined your goals lately? Have you cultivated important relationships or will you reap a friendship famine this year?
A devoted mother, and friend of mine, was clearly aware of her approaching empty nest. Focused on her children for most of her adult life, she realized that she didn’t have any friends and made this statement, “After my son moves out, I am going to get a personality.” She decided it was time to make a change.
The old adage, “If I keep doing what I’ve always done, I’ll have what I’ve always had” is true. If we want things to change, we better get busy.
Hey, you only get one life! Too many people are waiting to enjoy life “later,” “when I retire,” “after the kids are gone,” “when we have enough money.” Forget that ... the clock is ticking. It won’t be long and you’ll be old and gray with regrets.
You’ll wish you romanced your husband more, laughed with your kids more. You’ll wish you did something to help others in a significant way. You’ll wish you gave to the poor and lonely. You’ll wish you wrote that book - learned to dance, play the piano, speak Japanese, travel to Rome, bungee jump. You’ll wish you’d served the Lord more gladly. Why have any regrets, when you can do something about it now?
A person once told Ann Landers they had always dreamed about being a doctor, but felt that now that they were 38 years old it was too late; after all, it would take her 8 years to finish college and Med School and by then she would be 46 years old! Ann Landers asked a simple question, “How old will you be in eight years if you don’t go to Med School?”
Have you always wanted something? What? When are you going to give yourself permission to do it? Maybe a red Corvette isn’t so wrong for you? Maybe your dreams of Botox are possible. (Preach it, sista!) Maybe you could leave the rat race, downsize your home and go to the mission field after all? Maybe it’s time you fulfilled the purpose for which you were created? Maybe you could adopt a few kids from China or a Russian orphanage? The clock is ticking. What’s your legacy going to be? How will your obituary read? What are you passionate about? Do it!
Beth
