Midlife is a dynamic time of life - full of many interesting transitions and turning points. One of the things that has become very clear to me is that very few people eagerly look forward to this time of life. Which is a change from our earlier years.
When we were a child, we looked forward to being able to do things like our older brother or sister. They seemed to have so many advantages. And we couldn't wait until that was our experience too! Yes, we looked forward to becoming a teenager. In fact, I am witnessing this right now with my 10-year old dauther who says that she's "10 going on 16." She wants to drive like big brother Nathan! Then she'll have freedom, be able to shop when she wants to... Oh, to be a teenager!
Then, when we get to be a teenager, we start looking forward to being an "adult." My oldest son, currently 18, is looking forward to exploring even more of his freedom! Going to college, pursuing a career... marriage, the full package!... Oh, to be a young adult!
Then comes the prospect of midlife. We've done it. We made it to adulthood. Got the goods. Got the career. Got the family. And suddenly, things begin to change. Going beyond this point just doesn't seem to be so attractive. In fact, for many, midlife isn't a very attractive time at all. I mean, how many people do you know in their 20s who are looking forward to turning 40? ("I can't wait!")
At midlife, something happens. We start looking at getting older not as something to celebrate and look forward to, but as something to avoid, deny, or turn away from. We begin to notice our health changing. Our attitudes changing. Our relationships changing. And the things we spent the first half of our lives acquiring or building up seem to lose their value, or begin to fall apart.
What I enjoy about my work is that I have the opportunity to work with individuals who want to embrace midlife, not as "the beginning of the end," but as "the beginning of new beginnings." The transitions at midlife present us with several invitations. Invitations that take us deeper into our selves. Deeper into our possibilities. Deeper into our relationships. And deeper into the value and beauty of life. This is a gift we often miss in the first half of our life, but stands ready to embrace us during midlife and beyond.
If you are in midlife, consider for a moment what YOU think about this time of life. How do you feel about being a "midlifer"? What does this time of life mean to you? What COULD it mean for you? One thing is for certain, we can only march forward. And for those that learn to embrace midlife and its many gifts, they will find themselves marching into a world with greater meaning and depth. Oh, to be a midlifer!
-Denver Hudson
When we were a child, we looked forward to being able to do things like our older brother or sister. They seemed to have so many advantages. And we couldn't wait until that was our experience too! Yes, we looked forward to becoming a teenager. In fact, I am witnessing this right now with my 10-year old dauther who says that she's "10 going on 16." She wants to drive like big brother Nathan! Then she'll have freedom, be able to shop when she wants to... Oh, to be a teenager!
Then, when we get to be a teenager, we start looking forward to being an "adult." My oldest son, currently 18, is looking forward to exploring even more of his freedom! Going to college, pursuing a career... marriage, the full package!... Oh, to be a young adult!
Then comes the prospect of midlife. We've done it. We made it to adulthood. Got the goods. Got the career. Got the family. And suddenly, things begin to change. Going beyond this point just doesn't seem to be so attractive. In fact, for many, midlife isn't a very attractive time at all. I mean, how many people do you know in their 20s who are looking forward to turning 40? ("I can't wait!")
At midlife, something happens. We start looking at getting older not as something to celebrate and look forward to, but as something to avoid, deny, or turn away from. We begin to notice our health changing. Our attitudes changing. Our relationships changing. And the things we spent the first half of our lives acquiring or building up seem to lose their value, or begin to fall apart.
What I enjoy about my work is that I have the opportunity to work with individuals who want to embrace midlife, not as "the beginning of the end," but as "the beginning of new beginnings." The transitions at midlife present us with several invitations. Invitations that take us deeper into our selves. Deeper into our possibilities. Deeper into our relationships. And deeper into the value and beauty of life. This is a gift we often miss in the first half of our life, but stands ready to embrace us during midlife and beyond.
If you are in midlife, consider for a moment what YOU think about this time of life. How do you feel about being a "midlifer"? What does this time of life mean to you? What COULD it mean for you? One thing is for certain, we can only march forward. And for those that learn to embrace midlife and its many gifts, they will find themselves marching into a world with greater meaning and depth. Oh, to be a midlifer!
-Denver Hudson
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