The Magic of Turning 40!

Embracing the Big 4-0

As you approach your 40th birthday, you might find yourself taking stock of your life. Are you where you thought you'd be? Have you achieved your goals? For some, like Margo, this reflection can bring feelings of regret and disappointment. Margo compared her life to her friend Jillian's, who seemed to have it all—a happy marriage and two children. Meanwhile, Margo was facing her 40th birthday alone, having just ended a toxic relationship. She felt like a failure in love and wallowed in self-pity.

However, turning 40 doesn't have to be a time of regret. Instead, it can be a time of transformation. The phrase "turning 40" suggests that you can turn into anything you want to be. You can turn to new passions, turn on your greatness, and turn the page to a new chapter in your life. At 40, the doors are wide open, and you can still achieve your dreams, no matter your current circumstances.

The Significance of 40

In many cultures and religions, the number 40 holds significant meaning. In the Bible, it rained for 40 days and 40 nights during the Great Flood, the Israelites wandered the desert for 40 years before reaching the Promised Land, and Jesus fasted for 40 days before his crucifixion. Perhaps it takes 40 years to grow into an incredible person. The past 40 years have been a time of preparation, and now you're ready to embrace your full potential.

Why 40 is the Pivotal Power Age

Turning 40 is a powerful milestone for several reasons:

• Career Opportunities: You can still pursue a new career, such as becoming a doctor or lawyer, and have plenty of time to practice.
• Love and Relationships: You can fall in love like a teenager and have the time to grow together. You can marry a younger partner without feeling the need for cosmetic enhancements.
• Family: You can have children and still have the energy and time to raise them.
• Personal Growth: You can move to a new country and make it your home, take up a new sport, or pursue a new hobby without worrying about age-related limitations.
• Confidence: You've lived long enough to be sure of yourself and your beliefs. You can speak your mind, and others will listen.
• Fun and Adventure: You can still have fun and enjoy life without needing medication. You can try new experiences and live life to the fullest.

Interesting Stats About Turning 40

• Health and Longevity: According to the CDC, the average life expectancy in the U.S. is around 78.6 years, meaning that at 40, you're likely only halfway through your life. (Source: CDC)
• Career Changes: A study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the average person changes jobs 12 times in their lifetime, with many of these changes occurring after the age of 40. (Source: BLS)
• Entrepreneurship: Research from the Kauffman Foundation shows that the average age of successful startup founders is 45, debunking the myth that entrepreneurship is only for the young. (Source: Kauffman Foundation)

A Motto to Live By

Remember this motto as you embrace your 40s: Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body. Instead, it should be about skidding in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming, "WOO HOO, what a ride!"

Conclusion

Turning 40 is not the end but a new beginning. It's a time to reflect, reinvent, and embrace the possibilities that lie ahead. Whether you're starting a new career, falling in love, or pursuing a new passion, the magic of turning 40 is that you can still become anything you want to be.

© 2023 Allie Ochs, Relationship Expert, Coach, Speaker, and Author of "Are You Fit To Love?" Her articles are published in numerous magazines and newsletters, and she has appeared on radio and TV. For more information, visit her website at www.fit2love.com. For free relationship and dating advice, email: askallie@fit2love.com.