On the morning of my 40th birthday, I woke up feeling sick.
Not terrible, but tired, slow, and a little bit achy. Needless to say, I was disappointed. Who wants to feel like crap on their birthday?
Chelsea and I even had to cancel our dinner reservation at a Michelin-starred restaurant.
But you know what? I was fine with it.
Chelsea brought me coffee first thing that morning. We talked through our plans for the day and spent some quality time together before I got ready for work. I saw four clients that day, and despite feeling fatigued, it felt good to help others sort through their problems and make progress toward their goals.
After work, I cooked up some filet mignon steaks for us in the cast-iron skillet, and we settled into the couch with our dog to watch The Rings of Power (yes, we are nerds).
Throughout the day, I got calls and messages from family and friends around the world, including my daughter, who FaceTimed in from college to help sing Happy Birthday.
Honestly, I was perfectly content with the way the day unfolded.
Why?
Because at 40, the greatest gift I could ask for isn’t any material thing. It’s the relationships that I have in my life.
More than anything, our relationships determine the actual quality of our lives, from day to day and from year to year.
No matter how much money or how many toys you have, if your relationships are full of conflict, you’re going to be unhappy.
But if your relationships are solid, loving, and filled with positive energy, you can deal with all kinds of hardships—career setbacks, financial losses, even illness—and still feel grateful.
My relationship with my readers is important to me, too. That includes you! So, if you’re reading this, thanks for enriching my life by being a part of the Mind, Meaning, and Magic community. Stick around to learn more about how to work skillfully with your mind, emotions, relationships, and more.
What’s the greatest gift you’ve received? Any advice for my forties? Feel free to share in the comments.
Cheers,
Chris “Old Man” Cordry
PS: One of the main things I do in my private therapy & coaching practice is help men—particularly entrepreneurs and business owners—improve their relationships. Want to learn more? Just reply to this email and we’ll set up a free 20 minute phone call to see if working with me could be a good fit for you.
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Oh to be 40 again. My dear friend take heed, time spent is time lost. As we age time moves faster and faster. Take a few minutes and absorb the here and now, learn from it, reflect on it, experience it. As you journey through life, focus on what your legacy will be when you are gone. What impact will it have on the people you have left behind. What memories do you want implanted in the minds of your beloved? May they be filled with joy, kindness, respect and gratitude. All qualities that you truly possess, just ensure they are shared and remembered. Tom