Entering fully in this new middle life, I breathe in energizing winds. This transition mode is called midlife and it ranges from ages 50-55 years. After my years of defined isolation, I am rejoining my circle of family and friends from yesteryears.
They keep on asking me now.
"What happened?" "Why have you stopped communicating with us?" "Did you go abroad?"
Pondering on their questions, I simply shook my head and also wondered on what happened. Walking towards the writing table, scribbling the various thoughts, I stumbled on this ruby gemstone of insights.
Turning Point
What a realization!
Today I know I went through life changing experiences. Definitely, they profile the three faces of transition, as follows:
Face 1 - opposites-young/old, attachment/separation, decay/creation
Face 2 - quiet time/solo journey
Face 3 - renewal
Opposites/Polarities
Young, robust and impulsive, these traits best describes our younger years. Ultimately, turning 50, you and I start to gulp down more medicines for high cholesterol, elevated blood pressure and increased blood sugar levels (diabetes).
On the other hand, the issue of losses shoots out on the blue horizon. We grasp the hand of death as we see parents, sisters/brothers, or friends die of illness or accidents. Oh! How sweat, perspiration and tears break out heart into thousand pieces.
In contrast to these earth shaking stressors, we cope and deal with them with "citius" (stronger) mindsets. Determined to stay fit and healthy, we jog. Consuming more veggies/fruits, we change our eating habits.
On the matter of death, we grieve and take in the losses. Thereafter, we feel acceptance coursing through our veins. What a wake-up call! Imagine in a blink of an eye, you and I can leave Mother Earth to answer the call of St. Peter.
Losses came but we survived.
Separation/death crashed through our walls, but we hanged on.
Whew! How our spirits like the Olympic torch blazed in fires of courage.
Solo Time
Going away for a one or two week vacation, sometimes extending into one or two years of hibernation, we crossed the timeline of quietude.
"Cave-time," "Fallow-time," "In-between Phase," they go by different names. However, they only mean one thing.
Yaku mung dili... mimisip... ating yang buring sabiang ing bie ku (Only me... thinking... weighing my life's meaning).
Yahoo! Despite our outer calm composure, we may feel opposite inner turmoil. Beating like tom-tom drums, our hearts swing from sadness to excitement. Like a lone voyager, we travel with our best friend - our self.
Renewal
"I am a butterfly emerging from the cocoon of the dark night."
"I was disoriented for some time, now I am freer because I talked to a counselor/therapist. I needed help to get me through this crucial time."
"Salamat... Yari na ing bagyu... (Thankfully, the raging storms have passed away.)"
Voicing out these sentiments, fellow mid-lifers offer the wisdom they reaped from their transition. Holding the great gift of possibilities in our hands to become gentler, kinder and more compassionate persons, we stared into the three faces of change. A new sunrise awaits you and me.
