I'm Just Middle-Aged

Just Thought I’d Mention

C G Herndon

I’m just middle-aged.

Something happened eighteen years ago leading to this day…the birth of my first child.  I was young and the future was vast and promising, free of intangible concepts like mortality and change.  Yet both have been an intricate part of life.  Since then I’ve lost all but one grandparent, a father-in-law and a brother-in-law but gained three beautiful children and several nieces.  I’ve changed careers and changed back.  I’ve moved and moved again.  And though I’m not where I thought I’d be, I am where I want to be.

And I’ve made a few discoveries.

I’ve discovered intelligence, like strength, speed and height, varies from person to person.  But that there are many types of intelligence: analytical, emotional, spatial and more…and though I’m strong in some, I’m lacking in others.  I’ve also discovered a high I. Q. is not a prerequisite to wisdom but an open mind is.

I’ve discovered ignorance is a decision.  And I’m not referring to a lack of formal education, but to an uninformed opinion on a topic.  I’ve also discovered it’s tempting to give an opinion on any topic with only limited knowledge…very tempting.

I’ve discovered Mark Twain was right, “It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.”

I’ve discovered opposing opinions aren’t necessarily a case of right vs. wrong.  They’re often a case of differing backgrounds and experiences.  

I’ve discovered the same dynamic is present within a marriage and it sucks to know you’re right but your spouse isn’t wrong…so you have to compromise.  And I’ve realize compromising is like exercising; it might not be fun initially but leaves you better off in the long run.

I’ve discovered exercise makes you feel better physically, mentally and emotionally, yet I often avoid it anyway.  And that it is better to be fat and humble than fit and preachy.

I’ve discovered the single best thing I can do for myself is get a full night’s sleep.  But quality of life seems to be inversely proportional to hours available for sleep.

I’ve discovered money doesn’t buy happiness but the lack of it can make a person miserable.  And, in a pinch it masks unhappiness nicely.

I discovered that anticipation is often better than reward.  And that not knowing is often harder than any possible outcome.

I’ve discovered time with family and friends and time alone, like rain and sunshine, make the world a wonderful place…in the proper ratios.

I’ve discovered that if I could go back and change things I might, but probably shouldn’t, because as corny and preachy as it sounds, I’m a result of my own actions and decisions and I’m very happy to be who and where I am.

And finally, I’ve discovered that all of this could all be wrong.  My opinions have changed drastically since the birth of my oldest and it only makes sense they’ll continue to change.  After all, the saying is, ‘older and wiser’ and I’m just middle-aged.