The Journey Begins

Every part of one’s life is like crossing a stream by jumping from stone to stone. The path is never even. Sometimes the next step is very short and easy or it can be big and unnerving.

From birth through early childhood the steps are relatively uncomplicated. Especially, since most of us have a loved one to hold our hand along the way. Adolescents slowly begins the journey of independence. It’s a time where we begin to form our own identity. We begin to judge people around us and find a niche in school that makes us feel a little more secure.

Being a Teenager

During the teenage years the steps get further apart and begin to get a little scarier. High school graduation is a big stepping stone of life. We leave the “nest”. There are so many paths from this point forward. No matter what path we take, our judgement of what is right and wrong in the world, with our friends, and more importantly with our parents begins to take shape. We begin to question and are critical of our their lives and their values as well. However, there are no gray areas yet. Everything is “black or white”, good or bad, right or wrong.

Your Twenties and the Loss of Innocence

I have observed through my kids that the step from graduating college to either going on to graduate school or into the working world is not as big of a step as I thought. Even for me, who got married at a very young age leaving school wasn’t very different. There is however, one big change which I call, “the loss of innocence”. Idealism begins to be replaced by realism. The lines between good and bad begin to blur.

Your Thirties a Time to Focus and Mature

The step from your thirties to your fifties spans a large amount of time. It’s a time that most of us have found a mate and we begin to settle down. Our careers are pretty much set. I’m not saying that we are all happy with the path we chose. It’s just a fact of life that we have had to find a way to be self sufficient. We also tend not be as judgmental to people around us who aren’t always honest or who haven’t been faithful in their relationships. We begin to understand that there may be two sides to every story. People who have different views on the world aren’t always evil. They may have a point.

Life is very busy too. Our days are filled with work, kids, sports, hobbies, or other pursuits that fill our time. Time begins to zoom by. We don’t have much time to reflect and enjoy the journey. Don’t worry though, that day is coming.

Your Fifties and Beyond

Depending if you have children the next step is a pretty big one. It’s as big as sleeping over a friend’s house for the first time, to leaving for college, or having your first child. Like any big change in one’s life there is no manual or “how to ” book explaining the next step. Empty nesting allows you to rediscover your significant other. For most couples that’s a good thing, for others not so much. It’s a time to reflect on one’s own life and make sure that the path followed is still satisfying and fun. Meditation, exercise, work, and travel fill my days now instead of kid’s hockey games, helping with homework, or going to dance recitals. I don’t know how long this part of my life will stay copacetic. I hope for awhile because now time is on my side again.