Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
This past weekend I celebrated my birthday with the family and uniquely my mother who is visiting. It has been many, many years that we have managed this so it did feel an extra special occasion.
The morning was spent watching my youngest son play in a football match, as unfortunately my husband’s flight had been delayed, so I didn’t manage the sleeping in late and breakfast in bed, that day. Then son chose to spend the afternoon at his friend’s birthday party which was a desert survival experience. Apparently, it’s a no-brainer trying to compete with fire making and shelter building.
However, the rest of the family spent a glorious day at home by the pool, with a delicious BBQ cooked by everyone except me!
Whilst the family were busy with the food, I had time to reflect on reaching the wrong side of 40, and it made me realise that rather than concentrating on the pounds piling on, the extra lines when I smile or meeting young adults that could be my children, I do feel very blessed to be alive.
I may make an ‘off’ noise when getting up and gravity isn’t my friend but at this point in life, I have a good handle on who I am and what rubbish I will not tolerate and I have learned which battles are worth fighting … and it has been an amazing journey.
The good news for anyone approaching their 50s, evidence suggests that happiness is being measured as a U-shaped curve. From the age of around 18 we gradually become less happy, reaching a ‘bottom low in our 40s. But, as we head into our 50s levels of contentment take off again and apparently by the time we’re in our 60s it’s likely that we’ll never have been happier!
Of course, the research is talking averages, broad statistical trends, but it’s put a bounce in my step and I’m looking forward to many happy years ahead.
