Wholeness Healing Center

Fifty-Something – The Best Yet!

Yesterday I moved another year closer to being middle fifties.  I am now 54 years old. And even though I am now considered closer to death having crossed over the half way point to the 80s, I find the “fifty-something” times to be quite liberating. Yes, I have more to deal with in the physical arena.  My skin has lost some its elasticity and, in fact, has that thinning quality that I see on people much older than I.  And my body still hasn’t arrived to the point I have always wanted it to be and, in fact, is less flexible reminding me where I stand on the timeline of life.  But being fifty-something is so refreshing! I am comfortable in my body and it imperfections. And although I am focused on being healthy and fit, my real focus is on living life.

Being fifty-something has been the time for me to develop and focus on my own passions. I love it.  I can evaluate what is important and go for it. I find myself loving the fifty-something years and what they have rolled out for me.  For me, the fifty-something years have brought about a stronger inner voice that calls for me to pay attention to what I am feeling and what I need to be doing.  I have stepped out of my “need to please others” and have become more authentic in voicing my own feelings and taking care of my own needs or just stepping into something regardless of what others might think.

Perhaps this comes from my children being grown and having their own lives. I have time to pay attention to my own needs and probably have more time to take care of my physical body, eating better, working out consistently and having time to take care of myself.  Plus there is no excuse to not listen to myself.  I can pay attention to my passions and step into bringing dreams into fruition.  The static noise of family, running to activities, being involved with helping so many others has quieted down. I can hear myself and it is fun, exciting and exhilarating! 

Having grown children has been a fun stage of family development to move into during my fifty-something years. My children have become my friends.  With each of the three of them having a child of their own, they have a better appreciation of what I, as their mother, have done for them.  And I am blessed that being fifty-something has brought about being a grandparent of three grandchildren. This role has crossed into another world that I wouldn’t trade for anything.  I am very grateful that I am young enough to enjoy time with them while my body, mind and spirit can be active with them. Being fifty-something has given me past experiences that remind me to sink into time with my grandchildren and enjoy every moment I can. Perhaps it is so because I have experienced missing some precious moments along the way of getting to my fifty-something years. And I don’t want to do that again.

These lost moments, or moment of regret, or life just happening have seasoned me. It seems like by the time we have arrived at our fifty-something years, life has seasoned us marinating us with life experiences.  Seasoned people have a different perspective and often wisdom that couldn’t be found in our 30s and 40s. Yes, along the way to becoming fifty-something, life has happened and it certainly hasn’t always been easy or welcomed. But through that process, we learn about the important things of life. We quit focusing on the small things because we know they don’t matter.  We start to live better – living without regret – taking advantage of the moments that do matter. I look forward to the rest of my fifty-something years. I find life to be quite the ride. I do believe that I am just getting my stride for the rest of my years.

Tags: 50 something, grown children and me, life cycle