Sixty really sounds old. Up until now, I was never worried about telling people my age. Now I am. Once you start the number with sixty_, there is no question in anyone's mind that that person is old.
But, I don't feel old. Well, my body continues to tell me it is wearing out, as most bodies do, but my heart and mind and spirit feel young and happy and full of life.
I do not have a bucket list. I suppose I should make one. I did want to try to kayak, so I am glad I finally got to do that.
I am much like Bret. (see 40 blog)
I feel so much gratitude, daily, weekly, all the time. I have loved my life. I have a few small regrets here and there, but for the most part, I can see clearly how the Lord guided me, watched over me, helped me, and was there for me whenever I needed Him.
I have the best husband who works so hard so I can pretty much serve lots of other people, which I love to do. I have the best children, including their spouses, and amazing grandchildren. All of my family brings me great joy! I have the best sister in the world.
I wake up to birds singing, I sleep in a safe bed in a comfortable house in a beautiful neighborhood.
I have made so many friends in this world who have left many footprints on my heart.
My blessings cannot even be numbered.
I hope I have not let any of you down. I am trying my best.
I feel I have pieced together a quilt of many interests, loves, strengths, talents, people, and gifts. I have had the opportunity to nurture, to create, to be free, and to learn and grow. I still love to learn.
I feel strong and happy. I rejoice in this life I have been given. I did not expect to live this long. or to have this kind of life.
At this age of 60 where I expected to find grandmothers and rocking chairs, I still want adventures. I celebrate the story of my life. Each day more He gives me, I will cherish, and try to use to fulfill my purpose and destiny.
Dad gave me binoculars for my birthday- a very unexpected gift. He said to use them to see the beauty of this world. And I will...
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Sunday, June 08, 2014
40
As of today I have been on this earth for 40 years. It's hard to even type that sentence as it doesn't seem remotely true. Forty seems so old and I don't feel that old. I honestly don't feel all that different than when I was 30. And 30 didn't seem all that different from 20 (though much better).
I woke up this morning and knelt down in prayer and thanked God for giving me 40 years. My heart, as usual, was full of gratitude. It is hard to come up with any complaints about my life. So what wisdom do I have as I reach this mid-life age? I will write a few things, but I also know that if I have learned anything at this point, it is that people are very different. What's important to me is not important to somebody else. And what may bring happiness and joy to me may not do so to another. But overall I would say I am happier in my life than most people I speak to. I am grateful for that.
So let's get Bret's wisdom of life at 40.
LOVE: Not one day have I ever regretted the fact that I got married young and had a family young. Love is a strange thing and can come and go. But I am grateful to have found someone to love so early. Life sucks being alone - at least for me. For nearly half my life I have now had someone by my side who I care about and know cares about me. And she is a hottie, which makes life even better. And then to have 3 boys who love me and their mom and bring such joy to my life makes my life so much nicer. So my wisdom would be to surround yourself by those you love - and by those who love you.
WORK: I was taught to work hard and this has led me to a great job and good fortune. Unfortunately work still kinda sucks, especially when you give so much and the only thing you may get back is money. But life seems much worse if you don't/can't work. I am grateful for the motivation by family and friends to work hard in school and set myself on a course where I can earn a good living for my family. But I have also learned that your career WILL NOT be the source of your joy or purpose in this life. In fact, it will often be the hardest part. The older I get, the more wise the Law of Consecration appears to me.
MONEY: It sometimes seems unfair for me to say this as I know I have been blessed financially, but money doesn't bring happiness. Over the years I have shared studies that "prove" this and seen personal lives where this rings true. Make sure you have a way to bring in a decent income, but don't let money be the measuring stick of your success. If you do, you will always fail. Plus Jesus had some interesting thoughts on being rich that kinda scare me.
GOD: God has played a big role in my life since I was a kid. I can't remember a time in my life where I didn't pray to God and feel that I have a relationship with him. I feel this has been a positive influence in my life. There are days when even those who love you seem far away. But God has always been there. He has been there on days when I was a kid and wanted a dad. He was there on days when I was hungry and alone in Brazil. And He is there today when I try to be a better man and husband and father.
MOTIVATION: For me, three things motivate me. 1. My family; I want to be a good husband, a good father, a good son, a good brother. I want to make them happy. I want to thank them for being there in my life. They keep me grounded and humble and happy. 2. My God. I want to live with God again and live up to my potential. I know I am not perfect, but I know that through God's grace I can be saved. 3. Self worth; I don't know if this is something my parents helped me develop, if it is just my personality, my DNA, or what, but I like being me and I want to improve in things. I want to continue to learn, to be nicer, to grow and get better. These three things keep me going, especially on those days when you wake up and realize you have another 40 years to work for someone who may not care all that much for you and what in the world am I doing this for.
WOMEN: I know I am wiser now as I think I know less about women than I thought I did 20 years ago. Maybe because I didn't know any women then (they were really just girls). Truly men and women are different. That isn't a bad thing. But it can be utterly confusing and sometimes downright vexing. Good thing they tend to be so cute.
So there is my limited wisdom at age 40. If I were to leave any advice to my kids or siblings or friends who will soon also approach this age, it would be:
- 40 doesn't feel that old
- Live life to its fullest. Don't stress about the past or the future.
- Be grateful for what you have
- Love yourself and others. Haters suck.
- Look for opportunities to see how people unlike you live their lives.
I woke up this morning and knelt down in prayer and thanked God for giving me 40 years. My heart, as usual, was full of gratitude. It is hard to come up with any complaints about my life. So what wisdom do I have as I reach this mid-life age? I will write a few things, but I also know that if I have learned anything at this point, it is that people are very different. What's important to me is not important to somebody else. And what may bring happiness and joy to me may not do so to another. But overall I would say I am happier in my life than most people I speak to. I am grateful for that.
So let's get Bret's wisdom of life at 40.
LOVE: Not one day have I ever regretted the fact that I got married young and had a family young. Love is a strange thing and can come and go. But I am grateful to have found someone to love so early. Life sucks being alone - at least for me. For nearly half my life I have now had someone by my side who I care about and know cares about me. And she is a hottie, which makes life even better. And then to have 3 boys who love me and their mom and bring such joy to my life makes my life so much nicer. So my wisdom would be to surround yourself by those you love - and by those who love you.
WORK: I was taught to work hard and this has led me to a great job and good fortune. Unfortunately work still kinda sucks, especially when you give so much and the only thing you may get back is money. But life seems much worse if you don't/can't work. I am grateful for the motivation by family and friends to work hard in school and set myself on a course where I can earn a good living for my family. But I have also learned that your career WILL NOT be the source of your joy or purpose in this life. In fact, it will often be the hardest part. The older I get, the more wise the Law of Consecration appears to me.
MONEY: It sometimes seems unfair for me to say this as I know I have been blessed financially, but money doesn't bring happiness. Over the years I have shared studies that "prove" this and seen personal lives where this rings true. Make sure you have a way to bring in a decent income, but don't let money be the measuring stick of your success. If you do, you will always fail. Plus Jesus had some interesting thoughts on being rich that kinda scare me.
GOD: God has played a big role in my life since I was a kid. I can't remember a time in my life where I didn't pray to God and feel that I have a relationship with him. I feel this has been a positive influence in my life. There are days when even those who love you seem far away. But God has always been there. He has been there on days when I was a kid and wanted a dad. He was there on days when I was hungry and alone in Brazil. And He is there today when I try to be a better man and husband and father.
MOTIVATION: For me, three things motivate me. 1. My family; I want to be a good husband, a good father, a good son, a good brother. I want to make them happy. I want to thank them for being there in my life. They keep me grounded and humble and happy. 2. My God. I want to live with God again and live up to my potential. I know I am not perfect, but I know that through God's grace I can be saved. 3. Self worth; I don't know if this is something my parents helped me develop, if it is just my personality, my DNA, or what, but I like being me and I want to improve in things. I want to continue to learn, to be nicer, to grow and get better. These three things keep me going, especially on those days when you wake up and realize you have another 40 years to work for someone who may not care all that much for you and what in the world am I doing this for.
WOMEN: I know I am wiser now as I think I know less about women than I thought I did 20 years ago. Maybe because I didn't know any women then (they were really just girls). Truly men and women are different. That isn't a bad thing. But it can be utterly confusing and sometimes downright vexing. Good thing they tend to be so cute.
So there is my limited wisdom at age 40. If I were to leave any advice to my kids or siblings or friends who will soon also approach this age, it would be:
- 40 doesn't feel that old
- Live life to its fullest. Don't stress about the past or the future.
- Be grateful for what you have
- Love yourself and others. Haters suck.
- Look for opportunities to see how people unlike you live their lives.
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