Every Journey Begins with a First Step

[standing_dragon]

And so it begins. Again.

Every day's a new beginning, a new chance to set forth a life that you want instead of the life you have; or, rather, a chance to make a difference with the life you have.

Mmm. Confusing, but I like it. It'll stay.

I'm not happy with what I've become - but I am happy with where I'm standing right now. That, too is

Comments

[allykatt]

i think that's the best explanation of mid-life crisis that i've ever heard.

my dad, in his mid 60s, purchased a mustang convertible. not because it was a display of wealth, but because he had paid off his house, and paid off all the money my mother squeezed out of him in the divorce, and decided it was time he had something he could just enjoy - like the pleasure of driving with the top down and listening to pink floyd on his first ever car cd player.

it wasn't material, for him. it was just being able to relax and do something for himself, just because he would truly enjoy it.

5 years later, he's still ... really enjoying it.

he also bought me a car, and got us both cell phones. he is more generous now that he is happier. he's not rich by any means, don't get me wrong - he lives paycheck to paycheck like most of us, and works a full-time job WAY past retirement years. but he does it because he enjoys the work, not to get more material things.

[standing_dragon]

*nods* I admire him. :)

A couple weeks ago I bought a motorcyle. My mother, sweet woman that she is, jokingly called it my midlife crisis - clinging to something that was utterly impractical. But... for me?

For me it's the fulfillment (or another step on it) of a lifelong dream, of having a specific experience I've always wanted and finally taking the action to do so. My father thinks I'm crazy (and that it's going to kill me). My mother just thinks its going to kill me. My wife thinks I'm nuts.

But.. it's so odd. For me? That old bike has a sense of wonder about it. I can't /wait/ to see what the experience is. Pirsig claimed me years ago - and I'm finally acknowledging it.

I think your dad did the same thing - and I'm really proud to be following in those footsteps. Experiencing life is a good thing. It /should/ be done. Good for /him/, darnit. :)

Ishi

[gieseppi]

I think you nailed the real definition of the midlife crisis. Problem is that once you realize that life is going in a new direction from what you thought it would in your youth, and you settle into that new direction a cataclysm hits so hard that life never recovers and you don't care if the sun rises or if your alive or dead.

(sorry having a bad missing Mel day)

[placebodiddly]

Motorcycle = Impractical? Not with the gas prices today. You need to do something like by a Hummer to qualify as impractial.

[silky_whisper]

There are sorts of "mid-life crisis" Some develop over time, some hit you like a bomb and some (like mine) are thrust upon you.

I think it depends on the person as to how the situation(s) are dealt with. For me I had to re-learn so many different things. First and foremost was to allow myself to become myself and not someone's idea of who I should be. I still struggle with that, amazing what 40+ years of training will do.

I will admit to having gone the material way at first, when it was all I could find to relieve the loss and loneliness, but now - I like to think - the possessions don't mean the same. Now it's about learning and re-learning.

As for the motorcycle, if it's what you need right now to fulfill a dream, then go for it. My 70 year mom is always delighted when her son-in-law offers her a ride on his Harley...she could care less what her peers and siblings think. We kids get a real kick out of it, it makes her so happy. Happy is GOOD.

So be HAPPY!!

[kaystorm]

I will just say I agree...

And I agree the important part is to be happy...however that works for each of us =)

[lightningstruk]

You just think too much. You should think less and visit friends more ;-)