Because of my 40th birthday, I’ve been thinking a lot about this milestone and also reflecting on age in general. 40 seems like a pretty big and important number, although it doesn’t feel how I thought it would feel. When I was younger, 40 seemed pretty old to me. Now that I’m here, my perspective has changed quite a bit.
Given our cultural obsession with youth, beauty, productivity, status, and more – as well as our ego-attachments to where we think we should be at certain ages in life – it’s easy to get caught in the traps of comparison, self-criticism, or disappointment in regards to the number of years we’ve been walking around on the planet.
In this video blog I talk about how we can embrace and appreciate the age we are right now, regardless of what the number is. Feel free to leave a comment here on my blog about how this relates to you and what you do to appreciate your current age.
Great post, Mike. It created peacefulness and presence for me – like someone flipped a switch. And appreciation for my life and path right NOW. I’m loving your video blogs!! Thank you for who you are.
Hi Mike,
I enjoyed watching your video about age. Happy Birthday and welcome to the Middle Ages. I’m closer to 60 now than I am to 40. I remember turning 40 though. It didn’t seem like a big deal at the time, but I realize now that this is when I really started noticing the aging process: graying hair, thicker middle, tendency to gain weight, bifocals. All the good stuff. But the truth is, that many good things have happened since I reached the Middle Ages. My kids grew up and left home. They’re good kids and turned out well. I got 2 college degrees. I built a fairly successful HR career. I got married, and my life settled down quite a bit. I’ve now lived in the same house for over 10 years, a record for me.
When we reach middle age, we begin to look at the past wistfully; but in truth, my years as a young adult were very difficult. There is a lot of pressure on young adults to accomplish things, hit certain strides (education, marriage, home ownership, driving the right car, looking and being physically fit, being the person who “has it all”). When you’re young, life feels more like a competition.
Now, I find it’s less about competition, but perhaps there is more sense of urgency around leaving a legacy. What do I want to leave behind when I’m gone? What’s really the most important thing? How should I spend the dwindling hours of my life? (Ha! Ha! I may have 30+ years left!), but now I know how short that really is.
Debby Powell
Hi Mike,
I liked you blog today. Some things we all need to hare again and again.
Bill Baeza, (Lara Fernandez’s dad)
I just wanted to say happy 40th birthday!!!!!
Enjoy!!!
I am about to turn 46 and I really am enjoying this time of my life. My kids are adults now and I have a different freedom in the way that I feel about myself. I have a lot more grace towards myself and my flaws which has made my relationships that much more meaningful. Seeing my own failings and short comings has made me more tolerant / accepting of others.
I’ve also been much more comfortable with my strengths. I’m recognizing that we’re all in this journey called life together. I can’t own or control another persons outcome… only mine. I do have the opportunity though to walk with others and to allow them to walk with me.
Life can be so painfully hard, but on the flip side it is so exceptionally beautiful in the process. The hard times have been challenges to show me what I really am capable of and what I can rise to. I am stronger than I thought and much more capable than I ever imagined.
Happy and Blessed 40th Birthday, Mike! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on aging. I will always be young at heart, but struggle a lot with the physical signs of aging. This has become more apparent as I venture into the job seeking world. Your vlog has been a great reminder to me to embrace how I look and what I have to offer at this stage of my life. Our exterior holds our greatest gifts so it should be acknowledged with compassion and appreciation.
Have a FAB birthday!!
Wish you a very happy birthday, Mike !! with a lot of blessings. I love the thoughts you’re sharing in the video. I had a milestone birthday last year – but 20 years older – And I thought as I was approaching that age, it was not easy to accept. But on the other hand there was also that thought – What’s the alternative? 🙂 . By now I’ve learned to accept it. You might know that small saying – age is an issue of mind over matter. If we don’t mind, it doesn’t matter. Again , all the best and thank you for the newsletters.
Your recent vlogs have been excellent reminders of what life is about. Loving ourselves at any age, being grateful for today, appreciating what’s around us and where we are in life. When you step back and put it in perspective everything you perceive as being insignificant is truly a blessing. You have a way with words (both written and through video). Hope you have a wonderful and blessed birthday! Enjoy the now and being 40 🙂
Mike:
So glad u have started to do these vlog’s! Now we
get to hear you speak even if we can’t attend one of your talks! All really
good “food for thought,” so thank you for being mindful enough to remind us
to stay present and appreciate the now…however old we happen to be 🙂
Congratulations and Happy Birthday Mike.
I’m 53 and life always seems to be getting better. The challenges are always there, but the rewards for surmounting those challenges are getting better and more satisfying as I get older.
I laugh when I think that I’m older now than my parents were when I thought they were old.
Hi Mike,
How about including a transcript of your remarks with your video? Sometimes, I hear something that I would like to share with someone else and I want to send the excerpt along with the video.
Thanks,
arun
Forty. Wow. Congratulations. I too remember when forty seemed like really old. Just turned 70 last Nov. so 40 no longer seems too bad. Perspective changes a lot more when the physicality of being older starts to impact every day things. SO I no longer apprciate that physical maturity but totally acknowledge and appreciate the blessings of all I have learnedand experienced. Never thought I would treasure being the “sage tribal elder” but it is what it is. And most of that growth and shift in concsciousness did not start till I was 50. So there are trade offs to aging. Some good, some great, and some I’d just as soon have declined. All part of the role I play as a part of this universe.
Many blessings too us all and may we continue to appreciate all that life offers.
John
HAPPY 40TH YEAR ON PLANET EARTH, MIKE! May you have a full and abundant year,
of the good work you are doing, the model you are being for positive change and self-acceptance.
I reached a milestone last year, age wise. I reached 70. I knew it was coming. It wasn’t a shock. Yet, as you mentioned in your video, it is different. A new perspective on my life.
I feel younger than what I thought 70 would feel like. Age really doesn’t capture the being of a person. So, though I move slower and have shifted some activities, my inner life is growing deeper and richer in yoga and meditation and relationship. I find myself reviewing my life again, my family, career, experiences I cherish. I appreciate the perspective I have at 70. It is gentle, quiet, engaged without ambition, grateful, so grateful for the life i have had, so far, and the lessons I have learned, the people I have been blessed to know along the way. I used to be hard on myself. That attitude is gone now. I love life, each now moment is amazing. Thanks for inviting sharing. Love and Peace, Joan
I’m totally with you, Joan. I’m a grandma and think life has gotten better with every year. Doing yoga for the past 25 years has kept me young and flexible and you’re right about age just being a state of mind. Someone once said, “if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter!”
Mike, Excellent video post. Powerful message to not resist where we are right now especially in terms of the wonderfulness of our age.. Thanks for the reminder.
Happy 40th!!
Be well. Todd
Happy 40th! This message was so perfect for me, just at the right time because I too have a b day in a few days. I turned 40 a few yrs ago, yes its a big deal and definitely gets you to reflect on your life. It’s funny because I also thought that 40 was old when I was younger, and now I don’t think so much! Lol. What you said about appreciating yourself now and don’t resist your age, was exactly what I needed to here. I think sometimes it’s harder for a women to accept the aging process. Thanks so much for your messages, I really appreciate them. It seems lately most of your messages have been exactly what I needed to hear : ). Thanks!
Hi Mike,
Happy Birthday, my friend!! Welcome to the 40 club! I appreciate you and the wisdom you share with us. Now that you’re over 40 I’m sure everything will better than ever!
Happy 40th Mike! May your paths of many continue to grow (only because I love watching you grow)… more books, more vlogs, more memories with your daughters and wife, more authenticity, more thank you(s), more speaking opportunities, more to counsel, more paths… far, wide and deep. Keep it coming! God bless you!
Happy Birthday, Mike. You’re a wise young man!
Lots of good stuff in your video and soooo authentic. I love your new format.
My favorite line is remembering that someday we’ll look back on these days as the good old days so why not think of them that way now! Brilliant concept!
I must say I laughed though when you said you felt old. As a grandma, I embrace my age proudly and feel so good that I can keep up with my granddaughters.
My best years started after I turned 40 and with each year I’ve gotten to know and appreciate myself better.
Donne
Happy Birthday, Mike! I’m 60+ and I’ve loved every age I’ve been. Enjoy it! John M.
Watching/listening to your video inspired me to celebrate each day as if it was my birthday in the sense of it being a really special and magical day 🙂
Thank You for that!
And Happy Birthday! 🙂
I just got a chance to watch your blog today……so belated Happy Birthday. You are so right in many ways…….
I will be turning 65 in May and I can’t believe that. I don’t feel like I am that old. I feel about 40 if that. I have learned a few things though in my longevity. I have learned to appreciate every day and take one day at a time, for sure. Don’t worry too much about the future, it will make you crazy and leave you with a knot in your stomach thinking about what bad things could occur. I try not to worry about my grandchildren and how hard their lives will be when they are my age.
It is not easy surviving in this time and age when you are retired – unless you were extremely lucky and have a fantastic retirement fund. Yes, I think it takes luck to live comfortably in retirement. I had some luck having a pension plan, but nowadays they don’t even offer pensions at most workplaces.
I also want to do things that I have been wanting to do and am trying to do that. But, the bottom line is – just have fun in the present – try not to dwell on the past bad stuff – just look at the good stuff and move on enjoying every single day – having fun and laughing out loud. That is my remedy for every day – find something funny and happy about the day!!
A fascinating discussion is definitely worth comment. I do believe that you
need to publish more on this issue, it might not be a taboo matter but usually folks don’t speak about
such issues. To the next! Many thanks!!