Many people I know have or are turning 40 and celebrating it in many different ways. There are many quotes about reaching this milestone:
Lordy, Lordy! Look who's 40 (said to me by a co-worker today who also spoke louder to me and asked if I could see him alright as he then hobbled away like a little, old man).
Life begins at 40.
The 40's are the new 30's (or 20's some are now saying).
I'm not 40. I'm 18 with 22 years experience.
40 is when your body gives your brain a list of things it isn't going to do anymore.
Age is a matter of feeling, not of years.
In reading these quotes and thinking about the number of years of life I have been blessed with, I take turning 40 in stride - mostly. Four decades in which I have grown and learned many life lessons. I feel grateful for the people who have been part of my story and who have helped me to become the person I am today. The body changes, the hair begins to silver, and the laugh lines begin to show. But, I wouldn't change it. I am grateful for the years, grateful for the lessons learned, grateful for the people who have graced my path and stayed for a little while, and grateful for the laugh lines that meant life was celebrated and enjoyed. Praying for many more years of blessing.
As I was preparing for this day to come, I read an article entitled, "20 Brutally Honest Things Women Turning 40 Want All Women in Their 30s to Know." It had some interesting points - some that I agree with and some not as much. I have added some of the Bible verses that can relate to the points below.
1. Love and accept yourself - fully - inside and out
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." ~Psalm 139:14
2. Feed your soul - enjoy life and find your passion, do what inspires you
"We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully." ~Romans 12:6-8
3. Find a strong support network - find safe people to share your life with and cultivate relationships with others who love and support you in life
"Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body - whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free - and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many." ~1 Corinthians 12:12-14
4. Be authentic - get rid of the masks and be real - be transparent and share the struggles in life you face, this will make you more trustworthy and sincere to others
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." ~Romans 12:2
5. Live for you - it is important to care of others but you can't do that if you haven't looked after your needs first - remember you can't live life making everyone else happy
I would say that you need to live for Christ above all.
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." ~Galatians 2:20
6. Don't compromise too much - compromise is necessary in any close relationship and is good if both are willing to compromise but if this isn't happening, re-evaluate the relationship
7. Travel more - memories are made through the moments you spend with loved ones while traveling and seeing different parts of the world
8. Worry less - worry doesn't solve anything but does add extra stress and anxiety
"Do not worry about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." ~Philippians 4:6
9. Stop comparing - "Comparison is the thief of joy!"
"Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to others." ~Galatians 6:4
10. Forget expectations - life is not a fairy tale and the sooner you align your expectations with reality, the more healthy they will be
11. Live to work, not work to live - find your best fit with your career and work won't feel like work
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." ~Colossians 3:23-34
12. Save for the unexpected - prepare financially
"The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty." ~Proverbs 27:12
13. Give back more - invest in others and you will feel rewarded
"Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full - pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back." ~Luke 6:38
14. Forgive yourself and others - let go of unforgiveness so that your life isn't full of anger, bitterness, or resentment
"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." ~Matthew 6:14-15
15. Don't waste too much time on negative people - set boundaries to build healthy and lasting relationships
"Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm." ~Proverbs 13:20
16. No is a complete sentence - no explanation needed, just say no and don't feel you need to justify
17. Think long and hard before you say 'I do' - commit for the long term
"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not easily broken." ~Ecclesiastes 4:12
18. Stop and admire the little things - simplicity - enjoy the everyday little things - a sunrise, sunset, starry sky - stop and smell the flowers
"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." ~Genesis 1:1
19. Stop caring what others think of you - don't live your life to please others or because you are worried about what they might think of you
"As for the other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus." ~1 Thessalonians 4:1-2
20. Embrace change - life is full of change so embrace it and see the positive in it rather than going through life with the mindset of, "because that is the way it has always been done"
Other things may change but we can depend on God who is a firm foundation, a solid rock.
"The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." ~Psalm 18:2
Thank you for the many birthday wishes! So many blessings and so much love made me feel so grateful for the amazing people in my life. I appreciate each one of you. Thank you. It was a wonderful day! I was completely spoiled at school and treated like a princess - tiara and sash included (there was no escaping what birthday I was celebrating).
I received many encouraging words, cards, gifts, and flowers. I love my job and the amazing community of people I get to work alongside each day. My heart overflows with gratitude and joy!
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