I know 42 isn’t considered one of the “big” birthdays, but for some reason, it’s always felt like a milestone to me.
I couldn’t tell you why. It’s not a nice round number, nor divisible by five. Brains are so odd. (Is this the fault of Douglas Adams?)
Anyway, I have this “thing” about 42, and it goes something like this:
I’ve always seen myself as a student. When I get interested in a topic, I dive in headfirst. I’ll read everything I can find, listen to podcasts, and track down documentaries.
That’s always felt like my safe zone. I’m a learner, an observer. But I haven’t always been the best at taking action. I have the ideas, but not the follow-through.
But now I’m 42. And to me, 42 feels like the time to stop sitting on the sidelines. No more staying in the comfort zone of reading and researching. It’s time to take action. If I have an idea, it needs to get off the ground NOW—or I need to get over it. No more pretending I have endless time. I know better than that. I’ve seen bad things happen to good people, and life offers precious few guarantees.
As my 10-year-old nephew (who is obviously far more spiritually advanced) would say, “LET’S DO THIS!”
Critical Happiness 