A few months ago, those of us who went to high school together reconnected at a joint fiftieth birthday party to celebrate our shared milestone.
It was fascinating to interact with folks after three decades apart. Logically, these people were strangers -- unknown adults bearing little in common with their younger selves. Yet because of our shared childhood history, there was something deep already established among us. Walking around the room, talking with people was like discovering a lost tribe to which we all belonged.
Steve is a case in point. We first met when we were three years old when our families lived in the same apartment building. We attended the same schools and went our separate ways after high school graduation.
We had no contact until the joint fiftieth party. Absent this event, it is unlikely our paths would have recrossed in our lifetimes. We live 3000 miles apart. We work in different fields. We belong to different social networking platforms.
It was fun to chitchat in person at the party. Thanks to my Fifty Frolics project, we're continuing to dialogue about our milestone. Whereas my present focus is on making the most of turning fifty, Steve has a different perspective:
"As I look back, I've noticed that life can be broken into stages. Elementary school, high school, college years, gap years, different jobs, different hobbies and activities, marriage, kids, pets, retirement, sunset years.... So I guess that if I was to pass any life-goal type advice on, it would be to recognize the particular life-stage you're in and to build a set of goals according to that, preparing for each of the next expected milestones.
For me, 49, 50, 51.... I honestly don't feel that much different from year to year, so I don't tend to look at 50 as a milestone. Instead, I feel my next milestone will probably be retirement. So my most immediate "50" list is more of a list of things I'd like to do before I retire. For instance, just as you'd like to really listen to 50 albums this year - I've accumulated about 2000 albums that I'd like to listen to before I retire....Of those hundreds of artists I'd like to see as many live shows as I can....Another "50" list I have is my reading list. But it continually grows and changes, influenced by events and interests at any given point in life. So I have a similar approach to yours, but I find my time frames differ and vary in accordance with different life events."
I agree. The important thing is to find a framework that motivates you to truly enjoy your life. Whether you're focusing on this day, this week, this month, this year or your current life chapter, what's important, meaningful and fulfilling to you? How do you want to live your life?
No comments:
Post a Comment