All birthdays, especially the ones that mark the beginning of a decade are important milestones. However there is something much more significant about turning 40. There are so many changes in all facets of life, whether it's our career, the increasing independence of our kids, the increasing dependence of our ageing parents, the ever raising expectations on us and our energy and time from each and everyone. It's not easy.
Our own body which uncomplainingly stood fast by us for all these years also starts to demand attention. And this upsets us more than any other demand. The bodily changes that we see are substantial. It's all so confusing that we are almost like teenagers again. But the world that is sympathetic towards teenagers is not that kindly towards the middle aged uncles and aunties. Why blame the world, we ourselves aren't compassionate towards ourselves.
The hair doing a 180 degree turn to become white is trying to tell us something. It is the most visible sign that warns you to be prepared for other changes too. The heart beat that was steady before starts racing now and then. The joints that were flexible until now start getting stiffer. You get the picture right, things that should be tight start getting loose, and vice versa, LOL.
So, what can we do in this dire situation that seems to go downhill all the way? It's much easier if we have friends in the same boat with whom we can talk about these, cry together at times, or laugh it all away. It is also important that in addition to having friends, we need to raise up to the occasion and be our own best friend. Be kind towards our body, be accommodating to our changing moods, be gracious as we try and grapple with this new phase of life.
There will definitely be friends our age who are running marathons, or trekking up the Himalayas. Cheer for them, be genuinely happy for them. Applaud your friends who walks/runs/does yoga/gyms/strength trains/dances for an hour or so daily. Feel proud of them, lend them any support you can to help them achieve their goals. If it motivates you to try any of these physical activities, go ahead and give it a shot. It is nice to have little challenges to keep improving our physical and mental fitness. However let these efforts not turn into a comparison game with them. Each of us are blessed with different kind of abilities, and each of our bodies may respond differently as we age. So please, please listen to your body.
If you can't run a marathon, try running a mile. If you can't run a mile, try walking a mile. If you can't walk a mile, try climbing up and down the stairs in your house. Whatever works for you and your body. Remember, we need our bodies to be healthy and fit to carry us towards the rest of our life. And that is possible only by being kind towards ourselves.
Our own body which uncomplainingly stood fast by us for all these years also starts to demand attention. And this upsets us more than any other demand. The bodily changes that we see are substantial. It's all so confusing that we are almost like teenagers again. But the world that is sympathetic towards teenagers is not that kindly towards the middle aged uncles and aunties. Why blame the world, we ourselves aren't compassionate towards ourselves.
The hair doing a 180 degree turn to become white is trying to tell us something. It is the most visible sign that warns you to be prepared for other changes too. The heart beat that was steady before starts racing now and then. The joints that were flexible until now start getting stiffer. You get the picture right, things that should be tight start getting loose, and vice versa, LOL.
So, what can we do in this dire situation that seems to go downhill all the way? It's much easier if we have friends in the same boat with whom we can talk about these, cry together at times, or laugh it all away. It is also important that in addition to having friends, we need to raise up to the occasion and be our own best friend. Be kind towards our body, be accommodating to our changing moods, be gracious as we try and grapple with this new phase of life.
There will definitely be friends our age who are running marathons, or trekking up the Himalayas. Cheer for them, be genuinely happy for them. Applaud your friends who walks/runs/does yoga/gyms/strength trains/dances for an hour or so daily. Feel proud of them, lend them any support you can to help them achieve their goals. If it motivates you to try any of these physical activities, go ahead and give it a shot. It is nice to have little challenges to keep improving our physical and mental fitness. However let these efforts not turn into a comparison game with them. Each of us are blessed with different kind of abilities, and each of our bodies may respond differently as we age. So please, please listen to your body.
If you can't run a marathon, try running a mile. If you can't run a mile, try walking a mile. If you can't walk a mile, try climbing up and down the stairs in your house. Whatever works for you and your body. Remember, we need our bodies to be healthy and fit to carry us towards the rest of our life. And that is possible only by being kind towards ourselves.
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