Men Enjoy Your Midlife
Renowned motivational speaker John Maxwell said that a person can “play now and pay later or pay now and play later”. What a profound statement which is very relevant within the context of men at midlife.
There are many men I have encountered who, having reached midlife, are sharply focused, very secure and possess an unwavering sense of destiny and purpose. In sharp contrast, I have also met other men who, having realized midlife was upon them, didn’t know what to do with their future. While some of them fought vigorously to improve themselves, others resorted to negative lifestyles, all of which were a means of “medicating” themselves from facing the inevitable of falling through the cracks in midlife.
Although midlife brings with it normal twists and turns, working toward enjoying it should be the desirable goal of all men.
Tim Conway, in his book about midlife men, mentions some practical areas the midlife man should embrace at this transition time. I shall expand on each of them.
Physical exercise.
The benefits of physical exercise are many. It has been proven to drain off much emotional, mental, and physical stress and strain from the human body. Walking, swimming, jogging, just to name a few, set up a strong wall of defense against some opportunistic diseases that prey on men at midlife.
Exploring “some new challenges”.
Taking on an area of study that can stimulate and stretch the mind is a worthwhile venture. The writing of a book is a healthy project. Your vast experience and wealth of knowledge accumulated over the years can be of great benefit to younger minds. Photography, stamp collecting, cooking, doing volunteer work, becoming a mentor to young men, just to list a few undertakings, may keep your midlife engines running productively.
Taking care of your body
Watch what you eat and drink. Eating lots of fresh vegetables, high-fiber foods, reducing your fat intake, and generally eating a good balanced meal every day will be applauded by your body. Adding regular health checks to your menu is also an act of wisdom. A 27 year study that involved over 19000 Harvard University graduates revealed that people at midlife who are not overweight live longer; do not die from heart disease and experience better health than those who do not keep themselves lean.
Change of scenery
If you want to lift your spirit and enjoy the simple and less complex things of life, plan to get out of your familiar environment more often. Taking a leisurely drive in the country-side at sunrise; or enjoying a sunset with family and friends; going sailing or fishing; spending a weekend away from home; can be very therapeutic. These breaks help to revive the inner and outer man.
Talking
Sharing your feelings, fears and anxieties with your spouse a trusted friend or a health care professional may assist in reducing much of the pent-up tension you may have on the inside. Such a practice is a means of “flushing” your soul of those negative repressed emotions while giving your inner-man an opportunity to inhale fresh breaths of pleasant thoughts.
Resting
Rest gives the body an opportunity to repair itself and allow it to recharge for additional meaningful work. Inadequate rest over time may throw off the body’s equilibrium and create some mental health and other issues. In Exodus 31:17 we read “… the Lord made heaven and earth and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed”. This is a good principle for the midlife man to embrace.
Developing intimacy with God.
Placing God on the front burner of your life should be seen as the axis on which your life revolves. The apostle Paul reminded a group of people, some of whom were in their middle phase, that it is “… in Him (God) we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).
Men, make excellent use of your present opportunities by stretching yourself to be at your very best in life. When you reach midlife, going forward should be pleasant and peaceful; not meaningless and miserable.
There are many men I have encountered who, having reached midlife, are sharply focused, very secure and possess an unwavering sense of destiny and purpose. In sharp contrast, I have also met other men who, having realized midlife was upon them, didn’t know what to do with their future. While some of them fought vigorously to improve themselves, others resorted to negative lifestyles, all of which were a means of “medicating” themselves from facing the inevitable of falling through the cracks in midlife.
Although midlife brings with it normal twists and turns, working toward enjoying it should be the desirable goal of all men.
Tim Conway, in his book about midlife men, mentions some practical areas the midlife man should embrace at this transition time. I shall expand on each of them.
Physical exercise.
The benefits of physical exercise are many. It has been proven to drain off much emotional, mental, and physical stress and strain from the human body. Walking, swimming, jogging, just to name a few, set up a strong wall of defense against some opportunistic diseases that prey on men at midlife.
Exploring “some new challenges”.
Taking on an area of study that can stimulate and stretch the mind is a worthwhile venture. The writing of a book is a healthy project. Your vast experience and wealth of knowledge accumulated over the years can be of great benefit to younger minds. Photography, stamp collecting, cooking, doing volunteer work, becoming a mentor to young men, just to list a few undertakings, may keep your midlife engines running productively.
Taking care of your body
Watch what you eat and drink. Eating lots of fresh vegetables, high-fiber foods, reducing your fat intake, and generally eating a good balanced meal every day will be applauded by your body. Adding regular health checks to your menu is also an act of wisdom. A 27 year study that involved over 19000 Harvard University graduates revealed that people at midlife who are not overweight live longer; do not die from heart disease and experience better health than those who do not keep themselves lean.
Change of scenery
If you want to lift your spirit and enjoy the simple and less complex things of life, plan to get out of your familiar environment more often. Taking a leisurely drive in the country-side at sunrise; or enjoying a sunset with family and friends; going sailing or fishing; spending a weekend away from home; can be very therapeutic. These breaks help to revive the inner and outer man.
Talking
Sharing your feelings, fears and anxieties with your spouse a trusted friend or a health care professional may assist in reducing much of the pent-up tension you may have on the inside. Such a practice is a means of “flushing” your soul of those negative repressed emotions while giving your inner-man an opportunity to inhale fresh breaths of pleasant thoughts.
Resting
Rest gives the body an opportunity to repair itself and allow it to recharge for additional meaningful work. Inadequate rest over time may throw off the body’s equilibrium and create some mental health and other issues. In Exodus 31:17 we read “… the Lord made heaven and earth and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed”. This is a good principle for the midlife man to embrace.
Developing intimacy with God.
Placing God on the front burner of your life should be seen as the axis on which your life revolves. The apostle Paul reminded a group of people, some of whom were in their middle phase, that it is “… in Him (God) we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).
Men, make excellent use of your present opportunities by stretching yourself to be at your very best in life. When you reach midlife, going forward should be pleasant and peaceful; not meaningless and miserable.