We live in an age of ever extending lifespans and, in the western world at least,people are generally remaining fitter longer then at any time in history. In terms of people remaining active 70 is now the new 60 and even articulate and active centenarians are now not unknown.
So when are we now entitled to have the fabled mid life crisis, that time when the approach of old age and failing powers drives people into behaviour designed to reassure all that they can still cut the mustard. Years ago when men reached 35-40 they developed an interest in fast cars and traded their partners in for younger, sleeker models, or aquired their secretary as a secret mistress to be taken out to locations where they could impress even males who were strangers with their continuing pulling power. Meanwhile their female equivelants aquired boob jobs and headed off into the sunset with turkish waiters they had met on the last package holidays.
Now things are different, the age of foolishness has extended up the age range into the late 40s, 50s and even in some cases into the 60s and some seem now capable of having mid life crises that last for decades and involve multiple changes of partners, occupations and vehicles. The day cannot be far off when mid life crises will be even taking place after people enter care homes when, even with their memories failing, those affected still feel the pull of needing to stay long. Perhaps its time we all recognised that life is one long crisis from birth to death and no amount of turning back the clock can cha\nge the fact.
Perhaps we just have to learn to live with the fact that nothing we can do can stop the clock ticking.
As the Hymn teaches us.
'Time like an ever rolling stream bears all its sons away'.
No amount of new cars, mistresses or tummy tucks can beat that reality.
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4 comments:
Tobireg, I just love it when you try cheer us up !!
Sorry, I'll say that again !!
Tobireg, I just love it when you try to cheer us up !!
I have a mid-life crisis every day! It begins when I look in the mirror at 7am .........
Have you ever thought what an important feature of a female’s life is the humble pushchair ? (No, you hadn’t ? Shame on you !) Quite soon after birth, the young female is placed in one and wheeled around everywhere by her mother. As soon as she can walk, she is given a toy one and happily wheels her dolly around in it. If she has younger siblings, she will soon be trusted to wheel them around too. In later years she will have her own children to push around. But all too soon, her family grows up, leaves home and she is left pushchair-less. (Now, this is where the MID LIFE CRISIS bit comes in). She pines for a pushchair. She peers into pushchairs on the street, and coos at their occupants. She longs desperately for a pushchair to push. But then, if she is lucky, her own children will start to produce offspring. OH, HAPPY DAY !!
Have you ever noticed the number of middle aged ladies who wonder our streets, beaming, because they have been reunited with a pushchair ? The pushchair fulfills the same basic need in a woman as a Ferrari does for a middle aged man.
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