Forty Days and Forty Nights of 40: Day 2

Forty is still middle-age, unless all your friends are living until 100. 

Even though we are living longer and better, now is the time when you often deal with issues of mortality. As I was preparing for this blog, I was also preparing for the funeral of my best friend's mother currently in hospice.  When you sit at someone’s deathbed, it gives you time to think about your own life, how long it will last, what it will mean and who will be around to remember you. While talking with my friend about her mother’s legacy, a familiar philosophy rose to the surface: live for now. 

As I am currently writing her mother’s eulogy, she asked me to include what a generous woman her mother was, often giving money to her grandchild, nieces and nephews to "spend it now" while she's here and can enjoy it with her loved ones. A good lesson.  You never know what tomorrow will hold. Now, I'm not advocating spending all your savings, but I am a proponent of spending your money on or with family and friends - buying memories to last a lifetime. For me, that means travel, dining out, gifts and celebrations. You only need to read new power-guru Eckhart Tolle's book "The Power of Now": to understand how much time we waste on lamenting yesterday and worrying about tomorrow; something I have not yet mastered but am at least aware. (My father happens to be a student of Tolle's philosophy).

That is why this year, the year I turn 40, I decided to quit my job at the beginning of the year and see what else I can do with 39 years of experience. That call I told you about after leaving my job, was a good friend of mine offering me the opportunity to manage their family restaurant. I took it and learned a lot about hard work, balancing time and where my next move will take me.

Tomorrow, making the move.