How to look at Mid-Life, a Crisis or an Opportunity

What is your outlook towards life when you reach the middle years?

The basis

Every human being intuitively knows the greater self within.

There is an inner urge to expand towards greatness.

Each of us also know it deep inside, when we live a mediocre life!

The reality

From ‘knowing’ to ‘being’ is a tough journey, which majority of us are not prepared to traverse.

Mid-life alarm

When we reach middle years of our lives, something inside us tells us that half time is up!

Then…

When we experience this within, we begin to make changes to our life in small and big ways…

·       Change jobs or venture into entrepreneurship

·       Become conscious of health and wellbeing – running, cycling, yoga, meditation etc.

·       Take chances with hobbies alternate career options or join causes

·       Pursue spiritual endeavors

…and the list can go on.

Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age – Victor Hugo

Personal experience…

Before reaching the forty-year threshold, I stumbled upon a series of self-help and life transformation programs and events. Fortunately, this altered the course of my life.

This turn of events coupled with the habit of reading provided me with the necessary adventurous mind set, opening diverse possibilities and blessing me with amazing people.

The Crisis

Ignoring these signals and continuing with life as usual is really the crisis. Living with compromises, self-imposed limitations and being resigned about life is Crisis. Living this way, we would not have unlocked the gifts bestowed upon us.

Context

Middle years are also times of philosophizing and reflection. Times when we look at what lay behind and what lies ahead.

We derive meanings out of past, present and the future.

Create new profound meaning and purpose to the balance life left.

Body, Mind and Spirit

Physically – it is a phase of sustaining and maintaining a balance of diet, work, exercise, rest and recreation. Keeping the body in good stead.

Mentally – immense growth is possible, if we feed the mind with the right stuff. Instead of information junk consumption; a right dose of inspiration and contemplation helps maintain direction and focus.

Spiritually – the potential is limitless. Independent of the body and mind the possibility of inner exploration is unlimited.

The Opportunity

With the right orientation of the above three dimensions of being, the opportunity to create ‘Masterpiece of Life’ is available to everyone. More so for those who experience mid-life-crisis in some measure.

Let us explore together some of our life aspects to stimulate the Opportunity dimension. I wish to leave you with open ended questions to find answers for yourselves.

“All knowledge, all powers, everything is within. Your destiny is within, your future is within, the ultimate is within.” – Revered Master Chariji of Heartfulness (Sahaj Marg) 

1.    Money

I find this to be the biggest aspect to re-orient oneself during mid-life as one begins to sense that ‘I haven’t made it yet’!

·       Are you excited about your monetary status?

·       If not, what are you doing about it?

·       What are you prepared to ‘pay’ to get the financial life you dream of?

·       Are you brushing aside this dimension in the name of spirituality?

·       Is financial freedom a priority for you?

2.    Work and Contribution

The second big aspect is a reality check on what we do for one-third or more portion of our day – our work.

·       Is your current work fulfilling?

·       If not, what is missing?

·       Are you stuck in a rut or a rat race?

·       Are you contributing meaningfully to life of people in your circle?

·       Do you work from compulsion or inspiration?

3.    Relationships

The most important dimension of human life is one involving people. Whatever label we give to our associations and relationships it is critical that we celebrate the people in our life.

·       Are you grateful for all the people in your life?

·       Do you still hold grudge against some people or have strong prejudices?

·       If yes is it serving you well?

·       Has your people dimension been expanding or contracting?

4.    Personal Growth

The above three aspects are not expanding in my life, if I am not expanding as a human being.

·       Do you see yourself on a growth path?

·       Is life the same every day or are you faced with newer possibilities and challenges?

·       Do you put yourself in a learning growing mode every now and then?

·       Do you have people in your life who inspire you?

·       Do you act upon your learnings?

If Purpose, Meaning, Life-vision, Contribution, Joy, Monetary success and Love are possibilities in life, we can say one has found Opportunity at mid-life.

Conclusion

I would consider it a blessing if this article gets you thinking!

If this inspires you to re-look, re-orient and re-organize your ‘balance’ life.

If it gets you off ground, allows you to take steps towards a dream life; I shall consider my mission being fulfilled in some measure.

Please do leave a comment or message me your thoughts in person.

Article By: Sathish Desai, Principal Architect & Designer at CREO, Bengaluru