Tomorrow, I turn 40. Hardly seems possible really but the calendar doesn’t lie. Instead of dwelling on how I now need to cover the gray and that my metabolism isn’t keeping up with my appetite, I’ve decided that a milestone birthday provides a perfect occasion to reflect. In the business of everyday life, it’s important to stop, take inventory and recalibrate.
Some of the questions I’ve been pondering over the past few weeks leading up to the big 40 include:
What would sum up my first 40 years?
What am I most proud of? What would I like to forget and why?
What have I learned that is worth passing on to others?
What is left undone?
Am I living the life that will support my life vision which states “Living a life that models Christ, inspires others and leaves a legacy?”
Easy to write the questions, harder to truly answer! But, I have scheduled a few days off over the next two weeks to fully address these questions and then recalibrate. Life is too important not to!
In short, though, I can say that I’m most proud of the following:
Making a decision for Christ during my first year of college.
Making a decision to forgive and enjoy the reconciliation with my father.Choosing to stick it out through the “hard” with family and friends rather than bailing.
What’s left undone?
Fully embracing fear and yet pushing forward.
Shedding the constant struggle of wanting to please people and the desire for approval from others. If you’ve ever had abandonment from a loved one, you know how this shows up every day.
Intentionally focusing on the long term vision every day rather than the day to day issues that try to distract me from my life’s calling.
Letting this one soak down deep.....
Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word. NLT Psalm 119:37
What about you?
Are you at a point in your life where you could benefit from reflection and some days of for “think time?” What are you waiting for?