Powerful Beyond Measure!
Or. . . What's This About Mid-life Crisis?
Larry James
Perhaps there are some biological changes that go on as we grow older, however my experience has taught me that those years
we call mid-life are often when most of us begin to be uncomfortable with the direction our lives are taking.
Welcome to the Third Age!
We know there must be more than this! We begin to self-inquire and often are confronted by our own stuff; the stuff that isn't working,
and somehow it seems we are powerless to choose another course of action.
Fear rears its ugly head. Some of us are afraid to change. We become anxious about the future.
What ever happened to "living in the present?"
We all have decisive and critical moments from time to time. A crisis or two now and then perhaps, but a crisis that ongoingly occupies an
important part of our mid-life? Certainly we have learned by now that crises take our attention off of living life to its fullest. . . moment by moment.
It may even begin to dawn on us that we might be more than a bit responsible
for what is happening to us right now. It is what we do differently to move
us past these times that make the difference. Some people choose to hide out from life and do nothing. They quit trying. Seemingly puzzled, they watch life pass them by and wonder why.
The wise ones make some new choices. They begin to do something different.
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate to the task.
We begin to understand that this could be true.
In her book, "Return to Love," Marianne Williamson said,
"Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure!" That is scary for most of us. We notice that going for the
small stuff or staying the same doesn't serve us or the world very well anymore. Not that it ever did.
We notice when our
needs are not being met and we are often doing little to help fulfill the needs of those closest to us; the ones we say we love.
We appear to be distracted and disconnected from life.
It happens to both men and women and in different ways for each. These are
the unsettling years, and as they pass it is always interesting to see how
long it will take us to break out of our self-imposed shell.
Perhaps a mid-life crisis is only a crisis we create, and it just happens to
occur during the time we call mid-life. We are never quite sure when this is going to be and it is usually memorable. Could it be
said that it is called a "mid-life crisis" because those times for many are so confusing, discouraging and relatively nonproductive.
Men often use "midlife crisis" as an excuse for any embarrassing, highly questionable activity. This might include body piercings, bad toupees, love-handle
surgery, leather pants and the purchase of a sports car more expensive than their first house.
Now we know what crisis feels like. Refusing to take responsibility for our own choices, we feel relieved that we now have something
on which to blame this phenomenon? Eureka! We even have a name for it!
Those who never seem to get past their fears to make new discoveries continue a so-called mid-life crisis and stay stuck in the misery they
will not take responsibility for. It's scary when we begin to understand that we are the source of our own misery. Some people never reach that understanding.
As we are liberated from our fears, we love ourselves more. We start playing big, meaning: going for more and not settling for mediocrity;
putting more into life and receiving more from it. We can now recognize that there might be other options. We feel good about discovering
our greatest power. . . choice. The more we experience our many choices, the more grateful we become.
Not only that, when we begin to pay attention to what we are thinking and
feeling about things and do those things differently, who we are often
liberates those significant others, friends and family with whom we interact.
When people can understand the feelings they are having; where they come from, what causes them, who is responsible for them, who else
might have influenced how they feel or how whatever happened might have happened. . . just the facts, it becomes easier to work through
their stuff and get on with creating new and exciting possibilities. Those moments of understanding are truly enlightened moments. . . welcome them.
We really are powerful beyond measure.
It's time to demonstrate courage and love instead of fear. We all need to
give ourselves permission to live our relationships powerfully. . . beyond
measure.
One way is to live in the present. Live responsibly in the perfect present.
Focus on now. Our true home is in the present moment. This is just one of
the miracles we discover when we begin to let go of being right and all the
other things that keep us living in the past. We are startled with a sense
that letting go of our expectations might contribute to the cause of making
the real magic of the moment appear!
Tell me what surprises you and I'll tell you how you are thinking.
What is refreshing, healing and empowering is this present moment. What we do in it either moves us in the direction
of our calling or away from it. This is it! Reach out for "right now!" Touch this moment!
When we do this, touching this moment heals and transforms our lives. The
past is gone. Accept it. The future lives in the present. Accept that too. One responsible choice at a time takes
us from one moment to the other. Each tiny step will take us wherever we choose to go.
Live neither in the past nor in the future, but let every activity of the
moment absorb all of your interest, energy and enthusiasm.
This is our best investment in ourselves and the relationships we have with
others. When we live in the present, we live longer, happier and more
satisfying lives. We have longer, happier and more satisfying relationships.
This has been my experience of crises that occur during mid-life.
Get your mid-life crisis over early. First and foremost, there is no need for one when you are living the life you want to.
If you do feel like your life has been a series of upsets and compromises and you want to make up for lost time, try to do it early and get it over with quickly.
I challenge you to discover what it is like to "live in the present!"
Happiness, harmony and love reside there. Practice living moment by moment.
Honor the opportunity you have to be a part of this very special moment. You live in it. Be present!
Knowledge is power only when we use it; for our own good and for the good of
others. With it we can help others. Some have nearly lost hope and are ready to listen. They appear to be experiencing a
self-created crisis somewhere during mid-life and seem to be unable to help themselves. Watch for clues that signal the
opportunity to be somebody's angel. They may only need a gentle nudge.
They too, are powerful beyond measure!
Copyright © - Larry James.
NOTE: The Third Age is a period in every person's life that starts around 45
or 50 when people begin to feel a strong desire for deeper meaning and
fulfillment in their lives. The first age is childhood, the second,
building career and family, and the Third Age is a major transition to
a whole new set of challenges, values, opportunities, and gratifications.
The National Third Age Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded
by Peter Brill, MD. The National Third Age. The Foundation is dedicated to:
- Improving the quality of life and health for those who have reached or are about to reach the Third Age.
- Bringing people together to help each other find ever-increasing levels of passion, purpose and joy in the aging process.
You are invited to visit their Website at: http://www.thirdage.org.uk/.
• If you would like to talk
one-on-one with Larry James about relationship issues related to this article, you are invited to arrange for a
private coaching session by telephone. Go to Personal Relationship Coaching
for specific details.
Relationship books by Larry James:
How to Really Love the One You're With:
Affirmative Guidelines for a Healthy Love Relationship
LoveNotes for Lovers:
Words That Make Music for Two Hearts Dancing
Red Hot LoveNotes for Lovers (Career Assurance Press).
Author Larry James is a professional speaker. He presents "Relationship Enrichment LoveShops" nationally for singles and couples.
More About Larry James
For a personally autographed copy of Larry's books, or for more information, please contact:
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