Crisis of Ageing

I think I have officially entered a middle-aged crisis. It's taken me a long time to get to this point.  The key is to find my way out of the crisis while still growing older.  Age is more of a mental state than a physical state.  When the mid-life crises strike, we can't let our minds grow old.  It is easy to do.  I find myself more aware of the changes in my body, the aches and pains,  feeling out of place in a room full of younger people, worrying about retirement and whether I have done a good job of preparing my family financially.  Am I relevant and do I replinish the people I hang around with or do I just drain the life out of them?  I find that today more than ever, I have to challenge myself to stay mentally young.  Working as a student pastor is a good way to do that.  Trying to keep up with the challenges that face our teens keeps me young at heart.  But if you aren't a student pastor, here are some of the things you can do to keep your mind young:

*    Dress as young as I can without looking like an idiot.   There is a fine line.  What you wear determines how you feel.  Best way to tell is to ask one of your children.  They will tell you the truth.

*    Hang around younger people.  It's more exciting to be with younger people.  When I am around people my age (for the most part) I feel old.  

*    Keep up with technology like Facebook and Twitter.  You can go overboard with them, but like it or not, that's what younger people are using today to build community.  I don't have a Kindle yet, but who knows?

*   Read books and newspapers and go to movies.  Keping up with the culture is important to staying relevant to our culture. 

*    Remember that we are a vital resource to our community.  I can help younger men who may be struggling in marriage or jobs or whatever.  I can look back and say that I have just about experienced it all.  

*    Change taste in music.  I will always love the Beatles, but now I enjoy John Mayer, Cold Play and Sara Barriles among others.  Sorry, I can't do the rap thing.  Having a 19-year old musician in the house will make me listen to all kinds of music.

*   Serving at a church with an exciting future.  I pray to God that I stay in the mainstream of life so that I can make a difference for Him.  I love Fellowship Church and what God is doing today and what He will do in the future. I can't miss it.

If you are like me, keep it young. 

Comments

[woody]

here's how old i am, my first thought was that you spelled 'ageing' incorrectly. nope. and dressing young/idiot/ask the kids? gutsy thing to do.

[Buddy]

Keep it young....great advice....you missed one....just for men:)

btw thanks for encouraging my bro!