Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself. ~ George Bernard Shaw
In a few days I will embark on two new adventures. The first is actually something I have done before but each time I do it, it feels like a new beginning. I am excited to spend 5 nights and 6 days completely off the grid in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Northern Minnesota. The second adventure is that I will be turning 40 years old while I am in the woods. I think I am more anxious about my BWCA trip then I am about turning 40. I have been pondering this next decade I am about to enter and I am enthusiastic.In eastern philosophy, there is thought that our lives are divided up into units of 20 years and that each unit pertains to a different element. From 0-20 we are in the midst of amazing growth both physically, mentally, and emotionally. This is the part of life where we are absorbing everything we can and easily take it all in - we are like wood. From 20-40 we are in the midst of the work, we have all the energy in the world to blaze our trail - we are like fire. From 40-60 we enter a new phase of life where we start to slow down and notice the details and take it all in. We start to mold more to life's changes - we are metal. From 60-80 we begin to float through life and enjoy the ride - we are like water. Finally, if we are lucky enough to enter the final stage from 80-100 we return to the earth and the sky - we are like air.
I was given this wonderful idea of the life journey about two years ago at a meditation class. This thought process really inspired me to start looking at my own life. The deeper part of this dharma talk was that many of us are trying to cling onto certain stages of life that are no longer available. I started to take note of this as I looked at my own life but also of those around me. The fire stage (20-40) is how many of us live in this world even though it does not serve us anymore. I see it all the time in the fitness industry. Many of my clients are over 40 and yet they still want to workout as if their bodies were in their 20's. People will always say to me, "It all went down hill when I got into my 40's." Mainly, they got injured or acquired a chronic injury that really dampened their lives. As I looked closer at their routines and lifestyles, I noticed that they were still trying to be like fire instead of like metal. They were going to extreme boot camp classes or deciding that 100 burpees were something that would be good for them. I started asking questions to myself and to others like, "Why do you want to do that or why do you think that would be good for you?"
The point of this division of life into 20 years is not to force us to accept the fact that we are getting older but to honor that the body, mind and spirit evolve and change. Evolving and changing are not bad things but signs of personal growth. The true wisdom is when we start to really take notice and listen to these changes.
I noticed about two years ago that my body was not appreciating high impact classes or routines and it preferred more lower impact, kinder exercises. I started paying attention to how my body responded to certain foods and realized that there are just some things that do not serve my nutrition any longer. I started to make priorities for my mental health by taking time away from daily life to enjoy the natural world. I understand that I need rest as much as I need activity.
Finally, I realized that I have lived an amazing life so far and to be grateful always. Live life as if you might not get another chance. Listen to your body and be willing to make changes as they need to happen. Don't look back, look forward.
I am thrilled to see the beautiful northern woods and spend time reflecting on my first 40 years. It has been a great ride so far. As a great song lyric says, "Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be!"
The light in me honors the light in you dear friends,
Namaste,
Espi
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| Here's what almost 40 looks like. Bring on the next decade! Woohoo! |
