The last of the forties

A friend of mine, about one month older than myself, posted a picture of himself tasting a cake for "the last of the forties".

Yes, with this birthday I will start to cross a moment in time that used to scare lots of people not long ago: I am 49 today, January, 12th. Next year, 4 will be replaced by 5... It is just a number, but a huge impact in life.

I know that according to many people, I should be very worried as my life is getting shortened. Birthdays are fun when you are young and full of energy; after that, they just remind you about the closeness to death.

But, as I write here, I really don't feel like that and I know the world is also changing. The world is "getting old" as many people put it, but I just say the world is changing...

First of all, people are not so much afraid of death as they used to be. In 2010, a survey in the United Kingdom shown that people feared most to BE IN DEBT. That is right... At the fourth position you can see something related to death, but not directly (crime with knife).

Second, economics show that older people more and more have all they need. If at some places in the past children had to sustain their old parents, it is not the present reality... In fact, many of them sustain their children who are going through one crisis after the other.

There is a third further point. A tradition of mine makes me wander around in the day of my birthday. So, I ended in a very interesting bookshop in Bogota, where I saw this not so exotic issue of The Economist, with a cover talking about the Age of Happiness, I think that was the title. In it, using its very complex language, The Economist shows the fact that after 50 years-old, people start to feel increasingly happy. And I think this is the key point.

The only thing to diverge in relation to that article is that it is not age as much as maturity that makes people sees happiness everywhere. Maturity enables you to be happy even though you didn't get your quota of recognition by others, or you just missed your favorite football match. And the magical thing about maturity is that you can get that anytime in your life. The funny thing about it is that it seems you never end getting mature... There is always margin to be more mature.

So, I reach this age very mature, and looking forward to increase that wonderful sense of maturity. I reach this age knowing I am much happier, healthier, more peaceful and more loved than I was ever in my life. I am aware I could be even better, but I am also aware I am much better than I've expected.

I embrace the fifties that are waiting for me a little ahead, and all that comes with it. Thank you, life, God and everyone for this wonderful opportunity. Thanks to myself for that too.