While it’s not testimonial-grade material, a recent text from a client inspired me to write about being beyond middle age.
The article New Rules of Middle Age Written By Women includes a segment from Karen Rinaldi’s book “It’s Great to Suck at Something”. It’s a true story about learning to surf in middle age. The subtitle, “The Unexpected Joy of Wiping Out and What It Can Teach Us About Patience, Resilience, and the Stuff That Really Matters.” captures Rinaldi’s bigger lesson.
Beyond Middle Age – Unexpected Gifts
I’m beyond middle age and suck at a number of things. The bigger lesson is,
I’m enough exactly as I am.
I relish the freedom of not having to fix what’s wrong with me, and my sense of joy increases faster than my years on the planet. These are the unexpected gifts of being beyond middle age.
I’m not focused on advancing my career or growing my business. Been there. Done that. Don’t have to worry about or plan for that future anymore.
Initially, I had fears about the unknowns of phase. When the challenges of building for the future fade, will I feel less excited? Will I be bored? Will I get stale? Freedom replaced fear. Not being held hostage by the future, allows me to be in the Here and Now. This is where Freedom lives.
I am free to explore new possibilities, unconstrained by the demand to make choices that further my career or grow my business. This freedom enabled my decision to participate in a two year mindfulness meditation teacher certification program. From a business perspective, the ROI didn’t add up. I did it anyhow and am grateful for the resources to make it happen.
A Less Difficult, Kinder and More Compassionate Life
Practicing mediation trains your brain to maintain attention in, and on, the present moment by noticing body sensations, sounds, or the breath coming in and going out. You learn to notice when your attention shifts to re-living moments that have already passed or imagining and planning for future moments.
The benefits of meditation spill over to my daily life. Difficulties are less difficult, because I notice them. Noticing creates a separation between me and what’s difficult. I’m not caught in its grip. I watch unpleasant emotions rise, fall and pass. Like everything else in life, and life itself, difficulties are impermanent. Reacting breathes life into difficult emotions and makes them last longer. I’ve discovered many difficulties require no response act all. They come and they go on their own. It’s freeing.
I’ve also been practicing compassion and loving kindness mediations. I’m growing kinder and more compassionate to myself and others, as a result. Kindness and compassion create more happiness in me, in others and between us.
More Freedom, More Joy
I’m not suggesting you meditate during your beyond middle age phase. I am suggesting you enjoy the fruits of your labors, be they related to career, parenting, or something else. Be who you are, exactly as you are, for you are enough. Savor your freedom and what brings you joy, because…
