Last month I turned the big 4-0.  Gasp, I know!!!

Yes, you are correct that my kids are only 4 and almost 2.

I’d like to think that this adds to my relatability.  I’ve always related well to people my age and older.  It’s a good wake up call to remind myself that I could have a child the same age as their high schooler or college aged kid. And then thank the Lord that I wasn’t a young parent.  Knowing myself, I had a lot to get in line before being ready to be a wife and mom, and God knew it.

And since having kids, my group of friends consists of those 6-10 years younger.  I actually love when I forget that I’m so much older, since we are in the same life stage.  It’s the sign of a good friendship.  I hope they forget I’m a zillion years older and I’m not just the “old chick” they hang with. LOL!

While I definitely agree with the idea that wisdom comes with age, I also feel it comes with life experience.  I laugh at myself sometimes that I’ve got friends who are maybe only 1-2 years older than I am, have older teens, and seem just light years ahead of me in wisdom and life experience.  I joke that I am old enough to be a mentor mom in my moms group at church, but I’ve not had enough life experience to be qualified to lead anyone.

Have you had a birthday yet that was hard to handle?  Maybe not, and bravo!  This one was tough for me. I think it was because I remember my parents being 40 and saying to my friends that they were “so old!” Oh, to be young and say things you know nothing about- I’m so sorry and hereby apologize to my parents.  And to the marketing people who started the whole Over the Hill movement for turning 40, I believe that 40 is too young to begin your descent to death.  Right??!!

I have to say that besides the fact that my kids can exhaust me, I feel amazing!! (And hey, maybe they would have exhausted me at age 25, too!! And I’ve got a drink called Ningxia Red to counteract that, so I’m good! Learn more here (or reach out to me) about the crazy, wonderful things I swear by for good health.)  I honestly feel that the best is yet to come.  I’m more at home in my own skin, confident in who God made me to be, yet not too old to think that I don’t still have a ton to learn.  I have a wonderful husband and kids, great extended family, community, and business.  I’m writing and teaching and sharing about things that I love, like Jesus and healthy living.

The older I get, I really do feel that age is a mindset. Yes, Hollywood, magazines, and social media can make you feel that hitting a certain age means the end of the good life.  I say defy that logic!! Embrace it- don’t fight it!! Surround yourself with kids or younger people (they can keep you young), laugh a lot, don’t take yourself too seriously, and participate in the occasional dance party in your family room. Remember that you are wonderful just the way you are; aged to perfection.

Embrace Life!