Forty

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Despite its strong Judeo-Christian overtones many years ago at the tender age of 16, I decided that U2's 40 would be my song when I reached that age. So here I am; forty years old. It ain't so bad; the day was like any other although I must admit, I think my chance to be a champion athlete has passed :-)

Is there supposed to be a radical moment of self-reflection of one's achievements at this stage, representing the nominal half-way point in one's life, or the time it takes a generation to arise? Muhammed received his first angelic revelation at 40.. how about that for dealing with a mid-life crisis?

If I am to do so, I feel a great sense of good fortune. Despite my social background, I've managed to drag myself to a comfortable financial situation, and yet I feel strongly for those who have not had the opportunity or circumstances to improve their lot. I can look back in past and present careers; education advocate and researcher, political advisor, computer systems trainer, systems administrator - with modest degree of satisfaction with the actions and results.

I have been blessed with a modicum of good looks (or so I've been told) and a gregarious personality, which has meant good fortune in love. Indeed, I have been much blessed by past and present partners and from each and every one of them I have learned valuable, positive lessons of life and relationships.

At forty I can feel relaxed, comfortable and satisfied. Yet there is still a buring fire within that wants to take back the future, to remake the world and that project still has another two score to run - at the very least.

Comments

[angel80.livejournal.com]

Happy birthday! (I'm sure I posted that yesterday, but I must've neglected to click on the post comment button!)

[mr-figgy.livejournal.com]

You've also surely defeated the silly notion that left-politics are for youngsters, and that people are destined to become more conservative as they get established in life.

[charlesnaismith.livejournal.com]

Happy Birthday. I hope to hear that you make a fuss.

[frou-frou.livejournal.com]

Happy birthday, Lev.

[calisi.livejournal.com]

Happy birthday! Good to see such positive, reflective thoughts. XD

[mia76.livejournal.com]

Wow, I suppose this is a birthday entry? Happy birthday, then.

PS: If Muhammad got his revelation earlier than that, he probably wouldn't have handled it very well. I mean he's supposed to be an extraordinary man anyway, but you need a lot of maturity and would have to have seen a lot in life before you become a prophet. Just a thought.

[tentacularone.livejournal.com]

Wow, I had no idea. Happy Birthday!

PS - you're really hot for an old dude. : P

[ivansun.livejournal.com]

Oh, you know... Gautama Buddha attained Enlightenment at 35, and of course Jesus had done everything by then.. But yeah, it would have been interesting to consider archangels dropping in to visit someone barely in their teens.

Oh who can stomach these overachievers, really :-) Happy Birthday and glad you are celebrating the wonderful you as you are

[nicked-metal.livejournal.com]

Merry birthday!

[reddragdiva]

Well done on escaping death so far!

My fortieth year has been dominated by a darling baby daughter. When you become a father, your brain is replaced by 98% pride and 2% everything else you used to think about.

[cptjohnc.livejournal.com]

Happy 40th. And welcome to the club :-)

Fellow Unitarian Jihad sermon writer, anti-racism in Australia?

[uu-mom.livejournal.com]

Hi fellow Unitarian Jihad sermon writer,

This is not related to your latest post on turning 40, but congratulations! You certainly have a higher religious thought and probably activity than many by age 40. Any way, to why I'm posting:

I'm in anti_racism and someone posted about Australia Day (Happy Australia Day, btw). Since U.S. UUs have a growing anti-racism movement, I wondered if you do there, too. I did a search and couldn't find anything. Maybe you have it secretly - not posting about it on the internet? If so, that would be a good thread for you to inform a fellow Australian liberal about UUism. And it would also be a good goal for the next decade of your life (if you don't already have a life full of goals). :-)