You Can Learn a Lot in Fifty Years!

 Last week marked a milestone for me as I celebrated turning 50 years old.  I have to say that it still seems a bit surreal that I am now fifty.  And not because I have any pangs of sadness at "being old" or regret about the years that have passed so far.  I have to say that when I look back and reflect on what the past fifty years have given me, all that comes to mind is the many life lessons that I am now carrying forward into my next fifty.

A large part of the ease with which I welcomed this birthday comes from the friends and family that I have in my life.  When I look around at who I have surrounded myself with, the overwhelming vibe is one of being at peace and feeling comfortable with the people that we have all become.  Sure we may feel insecurities or disappointments from time to time but it seems like we all tend to sit on the content side of the spectrum as opposed to the wishing for things to be different side.  I actually can't think of anyone in my life who has had a really difficult time accepting the passing of years.  We all seem to celebrate them and the changes that naturally come with each new phase of life.

Another aspect of this transition has been moving from a place of anticipation to certainty.  Moving farther from the mindset of worrying about what might be and focusing more on what is right now.  A work in progress to be sure, but one that is moving in the right direction.  Just being able to navigate change from a place of believing deep down that I DO know what is right for me and even when it might not make sense to others has made the work so worthwhile.

I think that the most important lesson I have learned is the art of letting go.  Letting go of the stories that I have had ingrained for so many years, letting go of resentment, letting go of so many negative emotions and energy that have been tied up with those.  Feeling the freedom of releasing the things that no longer serve me and moving forward with a sense of new beginnings.  Almost like a snake wriggling out of skin that no longer fits, I feel like moving into my fifties and beyond is all about settling into myself.  Dropping into my body, my heart and my spirit and allowing my authentic self to shine through the layers.  Looking at the years that lie ahead and deciding what I want those to look like and how I can then manifest that vision. 

It's with this mindset that I move into and beyond my fifties with a sense of excitement and wonder.  I have learned a lot in my first fifty years, and can't even being to imagine what the next fifty or so will bring with them.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Solar Return Reflections

 As I embark on a new solar return, I am compelled to reflect on the year that is closing behind me. Exercises like these often have us remembering the big wins or struggles, the notable changes and shifts that have taken place, the happenings that are impossible to ignore. And while all of those items are important to note, savour, and pay attention to, I find myself drawn to the smaller moments in time. The almost imperceptible yet impactful catalysts that are most often responsible for growth.  What I find interesting about those tiny agitators is the amount of pain and discomfort they often create as they push us to respond. Like the grain of sand in our shoe that will cause a blister if we don't stop to remove it, ignoring these pain points only leads to longer-lasting, deeper dis-ease if not attended to. It was during a visit with a dear friend this past week that this point was driven home for me. I was describing to her a feeling of overwhelm I had been dealing with (o...
Read more

Letting Go

 This past weekend, I helped my eldest son as he prepared to take the next big step in his life's adventures.  It felt bittersweet to watch as he packed up the room in his apartment, in anticipation of setting up a new room in a new city in the near future.  I have felt proud of him over the past few months as he has navigated many unknowns and new situations with a sense of certainty and enthusiasm for what lies ahead.  Deep down, I marvelled at his ability to let go, to embrace the new opportunities being presented while letting go of the life he had been establishing over the past couple of years.  Thinking back to when I was his age, I am not sure that I would have had the ability to make these same decisions so easily.  Sure, I have had my fair share of tough choices and have navigated change as I have journeyed through life. Still, I have often felt a sense of dis-ease when it comes to letting go of what is or has been to make room for what might be....
Read more

Cheer Stations

 Yesterday, I ran my fifth full marathon, my first in two years.  The idea felt daunting at first - I hadn't forgotten how all-encompassing the training could feel, spanning sixteen weeks and requiring hundreds of kilomteters to be travelled simply to complete those last 42.2.  And yet, there I was, signing up and taking on the work. Training went well - the weeks seemed to pass more quickly than I expected them to, and despite a slightly cranky hamstring, my body and mind adapted to the workouts and didn't put up roadblocks along the way.  Getting up and getting out for those early morning runs and long weekend runs became routine, and something I looked forward to.  Especially the long runs that had me crossing the city instead of sticking to very well-worn routes from previous training blocks.  Friends started to inquire about the big day, and I noticed that many of them seemed to be more excited about the race than I was.  With it not being my firs...
Read more