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

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). :-)

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

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Happy Australia Day, btw

I'm one of those people who subscribed to the "black armband" view of Australian history. To me, it's "Invasion Day", never a day of celebration. I pretty much subscribe to the views of the poster on anti_racism.

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.

We don't have anything specific; there is barely three hundred Unitarian-Universalists in Australia, total.

At our church we've had a number of speakers on indigenous rights and asylum seekers and other 'race' related causes. A significant number of Church members are involved in such issues as well through other organisations.