Stages of Adult Development - Growing Pains

"Many people never climb above the plateau of forty-to-fifty. The signs that presage growth, so similar, it seems to me, to those in early adolescence: discontent, restlessness, doubt, despair, longing, are interpreted falsely as signs of decay. In youth one does not as often misinterpret the signs, one accepts them, quite rightly, as growing pains. One takes them seriously, listens to them, follows where they lead. One is afraid. Naturally. Who is not afraid of pure space -- that breadth-taking empty space of an open door? But despite fear, one goes through to the room beyond. But, in middle age, because of the false assumption that it is a period of decline, one interprets these life-signs, paradoxically, as signs of approaching death. Instead of facing them, one runs away, one escapes -- into depressions, nervous breakdowns, drink, love affairs or frantic, thoughtless, fruitless overwork. Anything other than face them."

Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Gift from the Sea
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Morrow_Lindbergh

Mid-life is the best ever. It's a place you get to find yourself and just be the person God created you to be.

Mid-life is . . .

Mid-life is when you find / learn the person you married and intended to spend the rest of your life with is truly the person that you want to spend the rest of your life with -- without a doubt.


How would you fill in the blank: Mid-life is . . .

MId-Life Crisis

What is mid-life?

Erik Erikson (1902-1994) in his Stages of Psychosocial Development defined Middle Adulthood as the ages from 35 to 55 - 65. 

Hope is both the earliest and the most indispensable virtue inherent in the state of being alive. If life is to be sustained hope must remain, even where confidence is wounded, trust impaired. --Erik Erikson

Who hasn't heard the term "mid-life crisis" associated with this time of life? I'm confused (or perhaps in denial) with the word crisis as it's I've heard this time in my life referred to. 

Dictionary.com defines crisis as: 

cri·sis

  noun, plural cri·ses,

1.

a stage in a sequence of events at which the trend of all future events, especially for better or forworse, is determined; turning point.

2.

a condition of instability or danger, as in social, economic, political, or international affairs, leadingto a decisive change.

3.

a dramatic emotional or circumstantial upheaval in a person's life.

I suppose I could buy "a stage in a sequence of events at which the trend of all future events . . . is determined". If that's they way we're going to define "crisis." Because I don't think instability, danger, or dramatic upheaval apply. 

So if definition one applies, a turning point can apply to any, and potentially every, stage of life -- not just "mid." 

I told a friend who referred to the circumstance of my current life as a mid-life crisis, at least Bill and I are having one at the same time and we sure are having fun. 

I don't think the realization that my life has probably passed the half-way mark as dramatic (although does take a pause when the realization comes, and that's not a bad thing -- I don't think). 

I think Bill and I are in a place in life -- a good place in life -- where our son is raised, on his own, and not requiring are assistance at the moment, coupled with the fact that we are financially in a place where we can do as we wish that has allowed us to something as wild and crazy as buy a Harley. 

What is mid-life? It's a time of life when your child is on it's own and we can financially splurge on a motorcycle. It's great fun. This is the second weekend in a row we've ridden about 160 miles on a Sat. 

Last year we had so much fun seeing summer on the motorcycle that we decided to take our vacation in Sturgis, SD for the big motorcycle rally. We'll be leaving in twelve days. It sounds a bit crazy. It sounds fun and adventurous. We're really looking forward to it.