On Turning 40: Life begins at forty and loving it!

I've always prided myself in having sharper than 20/20 vision all through my schooling years, medical school included. I was the only one in my family not wearing eyeglasses even when reading. I knew I was blessed with terrific eyesight as I could detect even the most subtle variation in shades of color and the minutest details that people around me could not. And I could read street signs even from afar.

Suddenly however, I could no longer clearly appreciate the different hues of skintone, nor immediately spot those tiny, flesh-colored warts on my patients. And worse, I had difficulty reading the list of active ingredients on skin product labels unless I moved the bottle nearer or farther until the words resolved and cleared. This to and fro swinging motion also became necessary in restaurants, when ordering. Haha.
Aside from needing physical therapy for multiple slipped disks and being practically immobilized due to the shooting nerve pain of sciatica, a busted knee due to traumatic arthritis, a multitude of kidney stones, developing hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hypercortisolism and a transient ischemic attack (referred to as a “mild stroke” by some) wherein I could not move both my left upper and lower extremities, I began to develop the more obviously age-related skin pigmentations and episodes of hot flashes. It was as if my blurring eyesight was just the prelude to a stealthy, creeping, old age soon after I turned 40! Ngeeh, scary.
Rather than fretting over having difficulty sleeping, worrying about my failing memory, feeling melancholic about my fading beauty and white and thinning hair, and stressing over the obvious deterioration of my health, I decided to focus more on prayer, family and friends, stress management, maintaining a youthful look and counting all of life’s blessings in my 40’s. The memories of close friends who never made it this far due to illness or accidents, make me value reaching this age more. It is in this state of mind and spiritual development that I could finally appreciate life much, much better. I realized that it’s in our 40’s that many of us have not only labored through post-graduate schooling but also achieved professional recognition in our chosen fields. Many of us stress over our daily grind but fail to realise we've also achieved stability and security with our own homes, cars and investments. Just as regular bloodworks and medical work-ups are necessarily scheduled by most of us, vacation travels are likewise part of our annual calendar. Despite developing cellulite and fat bulges that just won’t go away even with the highest-impact work-outs, reunion get-togethers and food-tripping are part of our weekly routine. While many of us have been in love, and even fallen out of love, we have nevertheless arrived at emotional maturity. Many of us have fallen and have gotten up. And most importantly, many of us may have lost the faith but have found our way back to God.
It feels awfully good to be able to say "been there, done that." I am not scared of making mistakes anymore, and neither am I embarrassed to admit to being wrong. It is with enthusiasm that I anticipate learning something new each time. I feel absolutely confident that in our 40’s we are perfectly equipped to surge forward into the future, wiser and stronger, and notwithstanding declining hormonal levels and bearing scars from battles of the past. Plus, financial independence at this age is a bonus that permits generosity in more ways than one.
At 46, how wonderful it is ticking-off items on my bucket list. Despite my shortened attention span and struggle to memorize lyrics, I am studying voice. Amidst my ever-toxic schedule, I take time off to explore the world with my family. Even if I am not an art fanatic, I have started a modest collection of my favorite paintings. Now that I find crowded places and loud party music somewhat distressing, I enjoy quiet dinners bonding with true friends anytime I want to. And at this stage in my life, I am able to provide for and take care of my parents and loved ones, and give to those in need of my help.
Indeed, life begins at forty. And I am loving it!