Gary's Experience of Being 42

BY GARY JONES

What do I like most about my age?

I like my age right now because I'm passed the stage of trying to find myself, I've accepted who I am and I'm comfortable in my own skin. Life's experiences have made me who I am and I believe that along with my studies right now into Counselling and Erikson have helped me understand just who it is I am and how I got to being me.

What do you like least about your age?

Thats got to be my expanding waste line and ear hair. When you find a grey hair 2 inches long on your ear lobe its a wake up call that time is starting to take its toll on you. Its not something that keeps me awake at night or gives me any great concern, after all I can't do anything about it, other than wax my ears, now imagine my state of mind if I started doing that? thankfully I'm not I just yanked it right out and went into denial.

What do you do to reduce the difficulties of your age?

I find that my body tells me what it wants these days, if I need some sleep I fall asleep, if it wants another glass of red wine I give it one. I think the only thing I do is watch my diet as best I can and give myself a few early nights. My teenage son makes me realise the differences in energy levels, he keeps me very young and we do many outdoor activities together. I believe I should exercise more and eat healthier, but I have to admit not being very driven at the thought of pounding a treadmill for an hour. This all said I don't feel 42 is old nor is it young, I may be more inclined to exercise when I am more aware of my mortality and extending longevity.

What are your concerns for your next stage of life?

I want my son to grow and be a good strong man physically and emotionally. I have one child and I want to get it right, I want to enjoy being around him and my wife as the advancing years gain on us, but I want to do it with all my faculties and strength. My father suffers with his heart and his joints are shot, I want to be able to bounce grand children on my knees and to play with them, who notices a few aches and pains when you have the joy of that around you? I'm not overly concerned about the next stage just that I want to reach it, not everybody is promised tomorrow I hope I'm lucky enough to myself.

What books are you currently reading?

Right now I'm reading:

1. "The Erik Erikson reader" by Robert Coles

2. "Loves executioner" by Irvin D. Yalom

© 2008, Gary Jones