Turning 40…keeping it real… gratitude and all the other stuff

So I'm 40

or … put another way…

I've arrived at the halfway mark if I live to be 80

…or…

I've spent 14 600 days upon this here planet!

Hip hip hoooray!! 

A wonderful weekend of celebrations

A trip planned to The Big Apple (squeal)

A whole lot of treats 

A face full of chocolate 

&

A reflective state of mind…

The result?

A blog post to commemorate the magnitude of having made it thus far…

So what does it mean to turn the big Four O?

Well it means whatever you want it to mean, I guess.

I've had a lot of people ask me how I feel about "getting older"

and whilst I'm not drawing wrinkles on my face (a healthy dose of 

vanity and self preservation does exist I assure you) I have to confess 

I feel blooming blessed… some people don't make it this far …. and I have.

I've lost friends and family members who would have given anything

to stick around and grow old with their partners, kids and grand kids.

I've seen to many people become preoccupied with looks, possessions

competition, money, politics blah blah blah… 

I've known myself all my life (pardon the pun) and I'm all too aware of what

it means to stress (I have been guilty of worrying just a tad too much in my time)

and lose perspective of what really matters… and as cliche as it sounds there 

REALLY are only a handful of things that REALLY matter … the rest is 

just filler peoples… and some of it pretty toxic filler at that.

I have so many blessings in my life and when I consider

the lives of those cut short, those who are alone, those who

have a sour disposition, those in poverty, those facing illness, 

those who hate the idea of getting older …. well then really all I

can do is smile and feel EXTRAORDINARILY grateful.

So here's to turning 40 … with pride and with gusto!

May the next 40 eclipse the last and may Cleo Magazine 

be telling the truth when they boldly state: 

40 is the new 30 Peoples! (!?)

Personally I may look older but I still feel like this 

little sprite inside….

 ...those legs still crack me up!

*******

How are you all going lovely peoples?

Care to comment on the "ageing process" ?

Do you feel like I do … that ageing is a blessing?

Do you resent getting older?

Do you think we worship youth and youth culture?

Do you think older is wiser?

Do you feel scared when you think of yourself at 50…60… 70?

Or (like me) are you curious… ready for new adventures… 

maybe even looking for new challenges??

Do tell

♥♥♥