I have always been skeptic of reaching 40 and finding myself doing the same routine with added issues of poor(er) eyesight, sagging skin, falling hair, higher waistline because of Cinnabon...the list could go on.
Shopping can be very stressful for me. I would leave the house for the supermarket with my hair all bunned up; with a list on hand I push the cart isle after isle; and cash out with my hair all over my face. While watching the items being scanned, I could see my reflection on stained glass with grey hair popping out. Righttt...I can feel my chinky eyes burning at the end of it all.
You know you're 40 when your niece whom you used to carry in your arms and changed diaper at night now has a facebook account and wears too-hot-shorts! Seriously. I was once like her, too--25 years ago.
When I was in my mid-30's, I command instant attention from my husband when I pick up dirty socks on the floor. I can imagine some of you saying, "eew!". This journal is guaranteed wholesome. My then svelt figure was size 5. Now that I'm 40--only a few months shy away to 41, my size has gone up to 10 (alright! sometimes 12!), I just pick up the socks with my toes and toss it up.
You know you're 40 when your niece whom you used to carry in your arms and changed diaper at night now has a facebook account and wears too-hot-shorts! Seriously. I was once like her, too--25 years ago.
When I was in my mid-30's, I command instant attention from my husband when I pick up dirty socks on the floor. I can imagine some of you saying, "eew!". This journal is guaranteed wholesome. My then svelt figure was size 5. Now that I'm 40--only a few months shy away to 41, my size has gone up to 10 (alright! sometimes 12!), I just pick up the socks with my toes and toss it up.
I remember when I was in Calcutta two months ago when an agent offered varied life insurance plans based on our obvious hectic lifestyle. We already have some though. But agents and brokers alike are abundant there either offering their products or creating the need for you. Did he see me catching my breath after walking my way up the 2nd floor while complaining of back pain? Come on! Everything slows down with age.
What's my point? I don't understand any of those policies (smile). There's just no rule of thumb to tell you which plan best suits you because either way these companies can declare bankruptcy at their will and you and your money are both caught dead in the process. This is where my husband comes in the picture. He's good at this stuff. He's not a CA for nothing.
Ummm...what about pension plans? I imagine my husband taking his afternoon tea in a porch--retired (or darn tired after working all his life for his family [smile]). He assured me there is already an existing one, too. At least in the Indian sub-continent, they don't have funeral/burial plans. Otherwise, I would probably have been offered those, too. Again, what's my point? These companies know our profile and we become the age-appropriate group to be offered such plans. They just catch up with you.
Physiologically, I have changed significantly--so does around me. I just know it when I can't sing along with a Justin Bieber song except for the "baby, baby, oh!". While I don't worry too much about that--because there are factors which I can be in control of like eating, exercise, and kunsumisyon (vexation)--I'm more concerned about how much is left for my child who has many years to go.
Am I over-reacting? Maybe not--because my daughter needs me and I hope to be there as long as she requires. Pehaps, I have legitimate reasons to fear the unknown. One thing I realize though when you reach this age, everything seems finite. I know no matter how I try to push it behind my mind, I'm getting closer to old age and even death.
What's my point? I don't understand any of those policies (smile). There's just no rule of thumb to tell you which plan best suits you because either way these companies can declare bankruptcy at their will and you and your money are both caught dead in the process. This is where my husband comes in the picture. He's good at this stuff. He's not a CA for nothing.
Ummm...what about pension plans? I imagine my husband taking his afternoon tea in a porch--retired (or darn tired after working all his life for his family [smile]). He assured me there is already an existing one, too. At least in the Indian sub-continent, they don't have funeral/burial plans. Otherwise, I would probably have been offered those, too. Again, what's my point? These companies know our profile and we become the age-appropriate group to be offered such plans. They just catch up with you.
Physiologically, I have changed significantly--so does around me. I just know it when I can't sing along with a Justin Bieber song except for the "baby, baby, oh!". While I don't worry too much about that--because there are factors which I can be in control of like eating, exercise, and kunsumisyon (vexation)--I'm more concerned about how much is left for my child who has many years to go.
Am I over-reacting? Maybe not--because my daughter needs me and I hope to be there as long as she requires. Pehaps, I have legitimate reasons to fear the unknown. One thing I realize though when you reach this age, everything seems finite. I know no matter how I try to push it behind my mind, I'm getting closer to old age and even death.
But...
"God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and of a sound mind."--1 Timothy 1:7. For my good and His glory, He wants me to walk in faith as I watch Him fulfill His promises in my life as “Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made … failed; all came to pass."--Joshua 21:45
There's a sense of boldness when you walk in faith and let the word of God take root in your heart. You just can't tolerate fear too long. What am I afraid of that God cannot handle?
"For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life."--Proverbs 9:11
That, my friend, is what Jesus calls rest at 40 or beyond.
That, my friend, is what Jesus calls rest at 40 or beyond.
Your forty is not so bad as others' forties are. You have a lot going for you, but it is inevitable that you drop everything at one point and disambiguate about life and death. I've had that, too, but believe me, sometimes all it takes is a jog around the corner, or a few minutes of crunches---and your psychological state makes a total turn-around and everything seems sound again. Great blog, please keep the thoughts coming!
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