Top 5: Mid-Life Myths

ProBlogger.net: Top 5 - Group Writing Project
MISSION: "Your task with this project is to take the theme of 'Top 5' in any direction that you'd like to..."

Welcome to RebelHousewife.com, and thanks for stopping by The Rebel Blog. I'm Sherri Caldwell, The Rebel Housewife(TM): Humor Columnist, Reviewer & Rebel MomBlogger Extraordinaire... on www.RebelHousewife.com; and offline freelance Writer/Author, co-author of The Rebel Housewife Rules: To Heck With Domestic Bliss! The Rebel Blog (archive here) is Time-Out For Moms, a place for busy moms to take a minute out of their hectic schedule -- a daily coffee break/watercooler chat -- to enjoy conversation, entertainment, humor & commiseration on life in general, with a wide variety of topics (heavy on family, kids, husbands, working at home, books, reading & writing). If you like what you discover here, please join the conversation in Comments below and subscribe to the email update here: Subscribe to The Rebel Housewife by Email

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Top 5: Mid-Life Myths

I don't want to come across as bitter, suicidal, or pessimistic. I'm not any of those things, really. But as I approach The Big 4-0 (in October), especially in view of recent personal crises and the imminent tragedy of losing a very dear friend, I'm beginning to suspect...

1. "Everything happens for a reason"

I'm beginning to think it's more like: Sh...tuff happens. It is what it is, and you deal with it. However, I do still cling to the idea that we are still in control of our responses, and the growth opportunities presented by life's many challenges. (See, there's a little sunshine & roses right there.) That can be positive or negative.

2. "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger"

Don't even get me started. Recent reference

3. "Good things happen to good people"

Have you read the newspaper or seen the news on television lately?!

4. Conversely, "What goes around, comes around"

I'm still waiting for the Karma Bus to come around for the bad guys in many scenarios and situations, both highly personal and more universal. I don't see it.
What will happen to George W. Bush? When?!
(She did not just throw politics in there...it's just an example!!)

5. THE BIG MYTH: "Happily Ever After..."

...as a DESTINATION, riding off into the sunset with the Prince, toward the cottage with the white picket fence, the glass slipper, the magic apple and all of that...yeah, that's pretty much a MYTH. However, I do understand now, while it's not a set time and place, an event or an achievement, Happily Ever After is a journey and a grand adventure. It is what is, and it is what we make of it, every single day along the way.

Comments

[Sarakastic]

I know what you mean, I'm still waiting for all of my good karma to catch up with me, sorry to hear about your recent troubles. Love your blog template!

[Karlo Licudine]

The different points you listed has humor with a slight touch of truth.

"Good things happen to good people"
LOL, You're right, even if you are a do-good person there is still a chance that you might end up in the gutter.Still, telling this to kids would help them be good boys and girls.

"THE BIG MYTH: "Happily Ever After..."
I truly agree that this is the biggest mid-lyfe myth of all. No one lives happily ever after because there are still tons of challenges and obstacle as long as life is still in motion. ^_^

Thanks for your post.

If you have time, why don’t you drop by my post:
http://mobileko.blogspot.com/2007/05/snatch-top-5-tips-on-how-to-be.html

It’s also an entry for the problogger top 5- group writing project. ^^ Goodluck to us all!

[Kristen (Quirky)]

like this place...yeah Love it...adding to my feed! Your writing style is great and a wonderful read! Definitely a gem among blogs! good luck by the way!

[Sherri Caldwell]

Sarakastic, Karlo & Kristin, Thank you for your comments, and for stopping by from http://www.ProBlogger.net. I will see you on your blogs soon! Darren posted the first 132 entries this morning, which has proven to be hugely distracting, when I should be working on the Rebel Review for Anita Shreve's BODY SURFING, the Rebel Blog, and launching a new Book Contest...aaarrrggghhh!!! ;-) I have had to put myself on a 15-minute timer to limit my reading on the Group Writing Project posts, which are all so great -- all of the 25 or so I have read of the 132...back to it!

[Allen Holman]

Very funny... the thing about all of these statements is that they always get thrown around at the worst time .

They are all exactly what you _don't_ want to hear.

Thank you for sharing your list!

[Annie]

Great post! I especially agree with #5 :)

[Casey Kochmer]

It boils down to what we make it to be.

When in pain, it will appear to be bad, and nature doesn't care if you are in pain, in fact pain is a survival trait. It hurts to change, since change is dangerous, you are changing what you are, how you work, your very basis of how you survive... so it will be painful since for many people to survive means to avoid change...

but for some... the pain reverses, amplifies the whole process, and if you ride the experience... you can take all that... and truly change yourself...

And to change yourself is to come full circle, to turn.. thats the very definition of revolution... to change yourself is to change the entire world in reflection...

Gads its a wonder that the process isnt more painful at times :)

:) I truly look forward to see where you take this experience!

Hope this wandering Taoist isn't being too silly ;)

[MyNewChoice]

Great post although it is unfortunate to read of the things that have shaped this post. I'm glad I found your site from Darren's writing project and thanks for stopping by my post as well!

[Jennifer]

When does mid life start by the way?? I have always wondered this.

[Sherri Caldwell]

I'm counting back from 80, so 40 is the mid-point. It just seems like you start to feel it, and it's not awful, except when friends start getting sick and stuff that's only supposed to happen to OLD people!!

[Tom O'leary]

Hi
Nice top5
very amusing

Thanks
Tom