This weekend, I said goodbye to my 30′s. SO… is 40 really fabulous?
Here is what I have learnt as life lessons after 40 years:
1. One year, not wanting to break my healthy eating streak, I made myself a ricotta cake…. it was disgusting. At 40, knowing much better, I thoroughly enjoyed every single bite of my decadent chocolate cake covered in buttercream.
2. I know now that ever attempting to STOP drinking coffee is, in fact, STUPID. I proudly admit to being a coffee addict.
3. At 40, I know that if something is lacking in your life, it’s up to YOU to GO AFTER IT. This is a life lesson I wish I had realised earlier.
4. If given the opportunity to magically jump back into any age, I wouldn’t take it.
5. I recently received a compliment about my friends: no drama, no gossip. That feels good.
6. Speaking of friends, being 40 years old, I’m blessed to have women in my life who accept me as I am, love me deeply, challenge me when needed but never cross the line.
7. Now being 40 years old, I LOVE the security we as women have. No longer is there a feeling of competition or trying to outdo. In our circle, we all have strengths and weaknesses that melt together into a beautiful mosaic of womanhood.
8. My clothing size no longer matters. I will strive to be as healthy as I can. But, at 40, I no longer seek a size on a tag to get my worth. One of the life lessons I’ve learnt is to love your body, keep fit and healthy but not make it a big deal.
9. Perspective. It’s all about perspective. If I could turn back time, my teens and twenties would’ve been a whole different story with the vision I have today. This is one of the life lessons I wish our children could understand when young.
10. When I married my high school sweetheart, I was 21. Over the last 20 years, we’ve each grown so much…. Now I am 40 years old, I can honestly say I’ve never loved my man more or felt loved by him more.
11. I was 26 when I welcomed our first baby into the world. I was a wee bit uptight as a young mom. At 40, if I could go back and talk to that old me, I would plead with her to embrace that season of life. Not to rush and wish for the next stage. ”That older lady who stopped you in the doctor’s parking lot after the ultrasound… the one who looked you in the eye and with desperation in her voice begged you to always remember how fast time goes and how quickly babies grow up…. SHE WAS SO RIGHT!”
12. At 40, I wish I hadn’t dabbled in my faith for so long… keeping one hand clinging onto the world and one onto my bible.
13. At 40, stuff that used to seem SO important really is of no importance…. and stuff that used to seem so unimportant, I now see as SO necessary.
14. At 40, gravity does, in fact, seem to be taking its toll.
15. Even though it may be sagging, at 40, I’m more comfortable in my skin than ever before.
16. I’ve learnt that I am always glad when I choose to zip my lips and let my temper cool instead of harshly lashing out with my words.
17. Never ever will I regret rising early for Quiet Time…. just me, my coffee and bible, and God.
18. I will always regret staying up late…. especially when it’s to watch trashy tv.
19. One of the life lessons I realised is: EVERYONE is busy. It’s the world in which we live. Use the calendar to create moments with friends and family, or else they will be missed. This isn’t a time to hope it will happen on its own.
20. As a mom, there will always be an inherent desire (while your kids are growing up) to have “your thing”. Most recently, mine was running. Don’t give “your thing” too much weight in your life. When/if you have to give it up, it will crush you. Hobbies are great…. as long as they don’t become your worth or your saviour.
21. Books are good. We live in an age where screens lure us and leave us little time to get into paper pages. If, like me, you have lacked in reading… grab some friends and start a book club!
22. At 40, I’m more aware than ever in my life that our time on earth is short. Live each day to its fullest.
23. Sometimes, daily life can bog us down. It’s in those moments when we need to live with the end in mind.
24. Failing to plan is indeed planning to fail.
25. Balance is a blessing… just ask my kids how happy a box of Fruit Loops can make them when Mom’s in a season of strict healthy eating.
26. There is a difference between Quiet Time and Bible Study. Both are needed.
27. You can never take enough pictures or videos. You will not remember how things were years ago. Capture the everyday.
28. At 40, I deeply appreciate the people in my life. We meet each other for a reason.
29. After nearly 20 years of marriage, I do not take one single day with my man for granted. I could not have possibly imagined how wonderful my life would be as his wife when I said “I do” all those years ago. My husband makes me feel so loved, safe, beautiful, sexy and cherished. At 40, our marriage is more substantial and better than ever before.
30. Change can feel scary. But when you’ve prayerfully made the right choice, it’s always better to take the leap than stay safe. When you look back, you’re grateful for all those leaps to have given you.
31. Wishing and whining will get you nowhere. One of the best life lessons I finally learnt is: DO something about what you want to happen.
32. At 40, I’ve come to appreciate my weaknesses as much as my strengths.
33. Leave the bad things behind and focus on a bright future.
34. At 40, I wear bifocals progressive lenses because things seem to be so much smaller… and ask those around me to repeat themselves because they seem to be talking much quieter these days.
35. I am so grateful for my husband, who shows our son how to one day treat his wife and our daughter to one day seek in a husband.
36. Distraction and discouragement are two of the most powerful tools the enemy uses to try and create a sense of defeat.
37. I am not someone who has a great memory. It seems to keep getting worse. However, The Joker by The Steve Miller Band immediately transports me to 1992 into my Geo Prizm.
38. God calls each of us to be the individuals He created us to be…. and that looks different for everyone. You get very off course when you look to others for what you should be doing. Seeking God and serving Him is what ultimately allows us to fulfil our purpose. This has caused me to miss many opportunities over the years. I won’t repeat this mistake anymore.
39. If you are living in the past, you are filled with regret. If you are living in the future, you are filled with anxiety. If you are living in the present, you are filled with peace.
40. And finally… BLOOM, where you are planted!