So later this year I turn 40 … and it’s causing all sorts of thoughts and re-evaluations in my life.
Now I assume this is quite normal – however for me, the main driver for all this thought process is less to do with the supposed social significance of turning that age, and more to do with my mortality.
You see my Dad died when he was 60 … and even though I intend to be around till at least the year 2069 … there is a little voice in my head telling me I am about to enter the final third of my life.
Depressing huh?
Well yes and no, however the good bit is that even though I know/hope I have at least double the number of years I’ve lived so far, left in me … this ‘mythical 2 decades left’ has forced me to look at what I really want to fill my future days/weeks/life with and that is an absolutely wonderful exercise in humanity.
The reality is that I’ve been very fortunate in my life so far – doing most of the things I’ve wanted to do both personally and professionally – however as I evolve [hahaha!], I realise there are new challenges, new experiences and new questions I want to discover and answer, so whilst I am not suggesting I will suddenly relinquish my responsibilities, by having this imaginary timeline imposed upon myself, I am ensuring my future will be as much about investing in the ‘new’ as it will be protecting and treasuring the old.
It’s quite liberating really … so even though I intend to be around for way more than 20 years [sorry!] and would give anything to still be able to talk to, listen to and kiss my Dad … the absolutely wonderful thing is that he’s still managing to encourage me [as is my wonderful and beautiful Mum] to keep looking forward with the most open and curious mind as possible and where parenting is concerned, I reckon that is just about the greatest and most precious gift you could ever give to a child.