Does life begin at 40?

Why would life start from 40?

Haven’t you done enough “living” by then? Is it the reality or just another cookie-cutter statement spewed from the mouths of those who don’t know?

Truth is, the older you get, the more you know. You tend to see that life has a pattern --- not that it wasn’t always there; but the joys of youth tend to dampen its presence. To the young, it simply doesn’t compute that someone over 40 was young once --- they expect memory loss, vision problems, and other assorted diseases that, in their mind, is exclusive to a certain age range.

Time to bust the myth: here are the reasons why true living starts in your 40s.

Teen:
As a teenager, you are more concerned about the little things. The bully that was older and bigger than you, the opposite sex starts looking attractive, while at the same time, you felt like the hideous creature from the lagoon, with the breakouts and all. You start feeling like your needs cannot possibly be understood by your parents (though they’re older and they were kids once) and that attending the prom/the game/the party was more important than anything. You didn’t have any money, and you played by your parents rules.

Twenties:
Okay, so the breakouts have let up, the dread of defending your thesis is history. The amount of freedom you had was always outweighed by the amount of responsibility --- taxes, relationships and work is a juggling act on a tightrope. If you’re fortunate enough, you may get married, and have children. Or maybe you spend the rest of your twenties trying to be somebody at work or in a relationship.

Thirties:
You’re happy with a family. Your parents become a lot more frail, it’s your turn to look after them. Your time will be spent in PTA meetings, school plays and watching the game. Oh, you’re happy, no doubt --- it’s just that you’re living for others now.

Forties:
You have a whole lot more to care for, your kids are all grown up and can take care of themselves. The list of things that won’t surprise you anymore grows longer and longer. There’s nobody to prove yourself to anymore --- you’re still the same person, with much wiser thoughts. Maybe your body’s older --- but that’s no reason to stop enjoying yourself --- it took four decades but now you have all the time for yourself to discover what excites you –doesn’t that sound like the right time to start living?