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45 and the Mid-Life Brisk Walk
I recently turned 45 years old. Officially, “mid-life territory,” as I was reminded ever so gently. Although hearing this non-disputable truth gave a bit of a sting to my ego, my soul had known for years that mid-life was upon me. We, adults, are not too different from children. I don’t know how often I have to remind my boys to clean up their trash from the basement or put their clothes away in their rooms. Or my personal favorite, “the dishwasher is dirty; why don’t you throw your bowl in there while you’re at it…thank you very much.” We all know the saying, if I’ve told you…
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Perfectly Average
Without a doubt being a parent is one of the most rewarding and difficult vocations that there is. I think every parent knows this. This certainly isn’t anything new. It truly is self-giving. This is probably why it is so rewarding because it truly isn’t about you at the end of the day. As parents, we certainly get our daily reminders of that. (The once-a-month slight nods of appreciation from our kids before right back to not being able to put your dirty dishes in the dishwasher, WHAT IS THAT!!) I recently had a conversation with some parents about the idea of our kids being average. I remember the look…
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Age of Wisdom
There seems to be great freedom that comes when you get older. I remember reading an article a year or so ago that suggests that those in their 60’s and 70’s were the most content and happy. Fascinating. I am reminded of a gentleman who used to walk the neighborhood around my boy’s school. I would always take notice of him and watch him. In some ways I guess I was marveling at the possibility of being like him one day. He was always alone and walked at a very slow pace with his cane and cigar. He never said a word, rather he just observed. Plus he had a…
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Turning the Big 4-0
They say that when you turn 40 you enter into a new stage of life where you begin to see things more completely, or maybe better put, you begin to see things as they really are rather than what you want them to be. Ideology and theory become less of a focus and the messiness of what is real life becomes more of a comfortable norm. Maybe it is about being content within the “grey” areas of our lives, a place where we seem to be better suited to hold two opposing things together without discounting either. This has certainly been the case for me as I reflect upon the…
