Accomplishments, musings on getting older.

[goddessfarmer]

I realize that my friends range in age from 'young things' to 'people who still call me a young thing'.  But bear with me here for a bit, because i probably have something to learn from all of you. Y'see, I'm turning 40 in 7 weeks. I've been kinda psyched about this birthday for a while for a very specific reason: My mother always used to say that I was 'born 40'; probably in reference to my early maturity.  Now I don't think I had a lot of choice about that early maturity given my mother's reactions when I didn't live up to her expectations (some of which were unstated, and others of which were downright unreasonable.)  Be that as it may, If I was, really, born 40, then i can say that until now I "haven't aged a day." 

Well, age is finally catching up with me.  I spent my drive home yesterday pondering the question of goals and accomplishments. Specifically: if I died right now, would I feel like I had missed something. Is there, really, anything that I feel like I MUST DO before I die. My answer is NO. What I have done, I Have Done. What I will do, I Will Do. But I don't really have any goals other than living with integrity and being the best "me" I can be. What I DO with that integrity is merely frosting on the cake. I am I happy with myself right now? Yes, and no. I Am the best I can be Right Now. I can see where I could improve, and I am working on that. I will work on that for the rest of my life; I will never be a finished product. I can be happy with how I am now, and still work towards improvement.

There are a few things that I am in process with, that I expect to continue until I die: some sort of synergistic relationship with my food (having a hand in growing it, knowing really where it comes from) and riding horses. So long as I continue these processes with integrity, they will continue to grow as I continue to grow.

Whatever hill there is to be 'over' I don't want to ever get to the top, I'm enjoying the climb too much.

So, my dear readers, what Good Path is your climb on?

Comments

[lyonesse.livejournal.com]

I walked around as you do, investigating this endless star 
I came through my net in the night and woke up naked 
the only thing still caught - a fish in the noose of the wind.

(pablo neruda, more or less)

[unclebooboo.livejournal.com]

When I hit my mid-life crisis a few years ago, the thing that got me through it was the realization that old dogs can learn new tricks. I accept now that I am mortal, but rather than fretting about it, I try to stay focused on living in the moment.

[quietann.livejournal.com]

My path is to become Wise.

My path is muddy.

[sarahshevett.livejournal.com]

I'm turning 50 next month.
I'd like to remain upright.
Maybe I'll get a facial.
Or start a micro dairy.

The National Dairy Goat show is in Sacramento next year. I want a National Champion.

Share your post

[(Anonymous)]

Hi:

Thank you for sharing your experience of turning 40 - I'd like to share this post with my readers at http://www.turning.com? Is that OK?

Best,

Mark
mark@turning40.net

Re: Share your post

[(Anonymous)]

sorry - the site address is www.turning40.net.

Mark

My path hasn't changed

[wren13.livejournal.com]

My goal as long as I can remember is to leave the world better than I found it. I don't achieve that every day, but I try to incorporate it into my life.

[oneagain.livejournal.com]

From way too young an age, a strong guiding desire in my life was merely to have no regrets on my death bed. I do not know if I will achieve that...

There is wisdom in your post.

*hugs*