Today is my birthday.  I usually keep quiet about my birthday, but today I turn 50!  Turning 50 has led me to do some reflecting.  And a bit of maths!

I have been in Australia for just over 15 years.  In that time I have done so much.  I changed careers from chartered accountant to naturopath.  I started my own business.  I become a mother.  I became carer for my mother.  I have grown and changed as a person.  I would like to say for the better.  I am more comfortable with who I am than ever before. 

I am also aware now of time passing.  I am aware that in another 15 years I will be 65.  Official retirement age.  Another 15 years after that and I will be 80.  The age my mother is now.  Old by most standards!  I have seen how much my mother has aged as she approached 80.  I see her energy diminish, and her ability to do things that she loved, such as embroidery and quilting, diminish due to cataracts and arthritis.

I am aware now, more than ever before, of how much I need to make the most of these next 15 years.  I realise that I have achieved and done so much in the last 15 years.  However, I also look back at the last 15 years, and know that so much of my time was wasted.  I did not always value my time.  I am perfectly aware that this is totally normal for the age and stage of life I was at.  But now, on the cusp of 50, looking back, and looking forwards, I know that I really want the next 15 years to count.  I hope that the 15 years that follow that will be full of good health and vitality for me, but I accept the inevitability of the aging process.

I know many of you reading this are younger than me.  Please don’t misconstrue my meaning of the value of time to mean that I am suggesting you jam your already over-crowded schedule with more things.  The essence of what I am saying is to use the time you have with wisdom and integrity.  Integrity to the essence of who you are and who you are becoming.  Spend time doing things that are really true to who you are and what is important to you.  Spend time doing things that give you joy.  Spend time doing nothing in a way that is pleasurable and beneficial because you choose to, not because you are exhausted.  Spend quality, connected time with those you love.  Rush less and connect more.  Don’t wait until you “have more time” to do something you would love to do.  Find a way to do that thing now – or a version of it.  Say no more often to things that feel like obligations, and yes more often to the things that are good for your soul.  Believe in what you can achieve and know you can achieve it now, not later. 

In my 50’s I am going to shine bright.  Life is going to be (more) fabulous.  May you share a similar intention, whatever your age and stage now.  Happy big birthday to me!!