Lordy, lordy…I am a quadragenarian.
Part of me is a little sad that the “young” part of my
life has passed and I’ve reached what is (hopefully) “the middle” of my life. On the other hand…the middle of the sandwich
is the best part (especially when you’re gluten free!) According to the Facebook page, Bake Me I’m
Yours, 40 is “when women acquire
a special depth and level of wisdom, grace, confidence and success.” I think they are correct.
I may be a little flabbier
in the middle and acquire a back injury backing out of my parking space at
Target but I have never felt as confident and self-assured as I do at this
point in my life. Recently, I have spent
much time reflecting on who I am and on how I got here and it’s obvious to me
how correct Ralph Waldo Emerson was when he wrote, “The only person you are
destined to become is the person you decide to be.” The
biggest growths in life do not often happen by accident. Rather, they happen when we decide to change;
when we decide that we can be something better than what we currently are and
we take the first small steps toward becoming that. And how much greater are those steps when
directed & blessed by “El Roi”, the God who sees me (and loves me
anyway!)
If this is the middle then
that means I have just as many years in front of me as I have behind and I want
to enter this half with anticipation and not dread. For I am going to keep improving the content
of my mind, the sensibility of my emotions, my attentiveness to my body, and the
depth of my character. I want to know that I will hear “Well done.” when
I finally see my Savior face to face.
So today I am going to
celebrate turning 40…
I am going to wake up a
little earlier so I can study Exodus before breakfast.
I am going to drink a
Starbucks chai and then maybe go to the gym.
I am going to help my kids
with their math and not take it personally when they yell at me when
they still don’t understand.
I am going
to take my vitamins, eat my vegetables and then enjoy a little dessert instead
of a big one.
I am going
to wait politely in line, smile at the cashier and tip generously because I
recognize that they just might be having a bad day, too.
I am going
to feel overwhelmed, get frustrated & angry but I am going to take a deep
breath, slow down and remember that I am in control of my emotions and they are
not in control of me.
I am going
to accept the help of others and I am going to offer to be the help they need
in turn.
I am going
to laugh, love, compliment & thank a little bit more than I rant, rave,
worry & fear.
I am going
to fail but I am always going to try again.
