First I must confess that I do not look or feel 41. I feel like a very wise 28 year old :)
Anyway, I think one of the reasons people call 40 middle age is that it is a time to refect on your life and make necessary adjustments in order to really start living the best years of your life.
So here are a few of my reflections and proposed adjustments:
1. Continue to grow in my Christian life. Having a strong spiritual foundation in Christ has allowed me to live a purpose driven life. I know I was designed for a very specific purpose which unfolds as I follow Him. This foundation gives me confidence to keep moving ahead even in the midst of negative circumstances.
2. Finding a mentor and being a mentor. I have attached myself to women who are successful in areas that I am seeking to grow in. I also make room for younger women to come alongside and learn with me.
3. Know you are beautiful. Why does it take women so long to fully appreciate their beauty? For the longest time I would not wear open toe shoes or sandals because I thought my feet were ugly and you know what, maybe they were. But so what? They are the only pair of feet I've got. Why should I deny myself the pleasure of wearing all the beautiful strappy sandals nordstrom & DSW have to offer because of some vain concern. It occured to me that one day when I am old and grey with gnarly twisted toes, I would look back with regret that I did not appreciate how lovely my feet were in my youth. Needless to say, I started getting regular pedicures and enjoying open toe shoes.
5. Try things I've never done before. I trained to run a marathon a couple of years ago. I suffered a stress fracture and ended up doing a half mnarathon. It was just as much fun and it challenged me.
My next goal is learn how to swim properly and stop faking it.
6. Travel the world. I need to travel more. I want to go to India, Singapore, Kenya, and South Africa in the next 2 years
7. The better care I take of myself, the better wife, mother, sister and friend I will be. Pay attention to your body and do something about it if there is a problem. Don't be in denial. Don't ignore lumps bumps and fibroids.
8. Continue to get regular facials - Glycolic peels are the best.