Glenn Stewart Coles, 9251 Yonge Street, Suite 8-924, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada, L4C 9T3
Text Box: Last month I celebrated my fiftieth birthday. While perceiving a round number as a milestone is choice, there is something special about reaching the half-century mark. Since the fiftieth anniversary of any event is known as the golden anniversary, I have entered my golden years. Turning fifty has provided the opportunity to evaluate my life and plans. The first thing that stands out for me is gratitude. I have had a wonderful life so far. I am blessed with a loving and supportive family who are also people that I respect. My father, mother and sister have each taught me important lessons in life. Who I am is directly related to who they are. My extended family is also important to me, though I see less of them. An aspect of extreme gratitude for me is participation in a family motivated by love. I also feel tremendous gratitude for the friends in my life. Throughout my life I have participated in a wide variety of activities and belong to many social circles. I have stayed in contact with many people over the years and cherish both memories and current relationships. If your social network is a reflection of your internal self, then I am as compassionate and good-hearted as all of my friends. It makes me feel good. Over the past fifty years I have gathered countless memories. My brain has been storing detailed information that can be easily accessed. The primary triggers to activate memories are people, places and events. Every person I know triggers memories. As I think through the experiences of my life I feel rich. In feeling the joy of memory, I also cherish the joy of creating new memories. Each day of life adds to the collection. In evaluating my current status, I consider who I am, what I have done, and what I want to do. While I am comfortable with who I am, there are changes that I desire. A milestone simply provides another opportunity to initiate change. As I look back on what I have done, I am very pleased with my achievements but realize I can do more. Much more. As I consider what I want to do, I set personal goals. The universe is abundant and each of us has tremendous influence. I think the most important aspect of turning fifty is the realization that life is finite. I always knew intellectually that we live and we die. However, turning fifty made me realize how quickly the past ten years went by. If I wish to increase my productivity over the next ten years, specific focus is required. Though I have no regrets, I do want more. As I begin this next phase of my life, I have entered my golden years in the Chinese year of the Golden Pig. This milestone only occurs every 600 years and signifies a time of wealth and good fortune. As I apply the learning from my first fifty years I realize that creation is my realm. Each day is a new beginning. Each day provides opportunities. At age 55, Ronald Reagan was a washed-up actor who decided he had more to do. At age 50 Mahatma Gandhi was only beginning his thirty-year campaign to free India from British rule. At age 55 Alfred Nobel was an explosives manufacturer who read a premature obituary of his death and chose to dedicate his wealth to encouraging excellence in humanity. Turning fifty is not the end of my life; it is only the beginning of another chapter. As I treasure each day, I move forward with joy in my heart. © Copyright Glenn Stewart Coles, 2007 First Published November 4, 2007

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Golden Years

 

Turning fifty has provided the opportunity to evaluate my life and plans.

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