You open your eyes and it’s a beautiful morning.
As you lie there alone, staring at the ceiling, you think about who you might meet today. Who you might come face-to-face with. It’s exciting thinking like this. The idea of it makes your heart beat faster. It makes you smile.
The Window
Once you’re downstairs – you go to the window and peer out into the world. You see lots of wonderful people really clearly. You stand there, scanning the new faces.
There are so many people you could meet. That you could chat to. That you could be with. Or learn from. People that could teach you about themselves and, better still, about yourself. It’s amazing that you could change their lives and they could change yours.
You stand there for hours, dizzy with the possibility of it all.
The Mirror
It’s evening now and the sun is lower in the sky. You’ve not moved from your window all day. You’re still excited at the thought of all those people you could meet, stand toe-to-toe with and look in the eye.
But as the sun inevitably sets, you realise that your window is no longer a window at all. It is dark outside. And your window has become a mirror.
And the only person you’re looking in the eye – is you.
Go Outside
When I closed my businesses four years ago, I disappeared for a bit. I was frightened to go out and meet people – old and new. They were bound to ask me what I was doing. And why I was doing it. And none of that was clear. So I hid.
Eventually, I got myself back out there. I stopped looking through the window.
And it’s great.
Since starting 50odd I have chatted to a few people about their fear of either getting back out there or pushing themselves to do more or to be more. They are not sure where their fear came from. Or, in most cases, what they’re frightened of.
I just wanted to say that, in my experience, most people out there are really quite nice and will help you.
So if you’re stuck, go outside. Look for the good people. They will help you. And be open the the possibility that – because you are a good person too – they may already be looking for you.
This little story was inspired by my friend Pete Zulu.
4 Comments
Michael I don’t think we met properly at Do – great shame as so much of what you’re doing with this resonates hard with me. I turn 50 on 9th September. I feel (often but not always) like I just got started so I’m along for the ride with you.
Thanks Carlo
Carlo it is very flattering for me that you are here.
If you want to, you can pop your email address into the 50odd website and get a daily story to your inbox. And if I ever start to go rubbish, just unsubscribe.
50 is a strange age. Well it is for me. This is the story that best sums up how I feel most of the time: http://www.50odd.co.uk/15-2/. Each day I either write how I am feeling on that day (these will probably be the best stories as they are spontaneous) or I write to regurgitate something that someone special once taught me.
I am michael@50odd.co.uk anytime. Please keep commenting. Please sign up. Please help me to spread the word, too. If you don’t mind.
Thank you for coming along on the ride with me.
Michael
Hi Carlo, I’m not sure we met at Do either. But like I said in my open mike moment, I’m terrible with names. I turned 50 4 days after you.
I first encountered Michael when he sold me a cap. We became firm friends, which is without doubt the best outcome I have ever had from a financial transaction and makes my cap infinitely more special and valuable.
This is a good place to hang out. I ran headlong into my 50s with happy abandon – what have I got to lose. My early 40s were a torrid, dark, painful time so I was frankly happy to see the back of them.
Being 50 set me free to explore and experiment. Impending doom seems to add a little crazed excitement and energy. I certainly give much less of a shit about what others think, but conversely I feel even more protective and thankful over those that I care for in all ways.
The whole caboodle is made more enjoyable by having people to share it with and whom you feel have your back – like I know Michael has mine.
That’s what friends are for.
Pull up a chair and join the circle. I’ll put the kettle on.
I should be in touch with Shaughn more really. To thank him. I learn from him about Always Wear Red and also about 50odd. I’m grateful for that. Shaughn is a good friend that writes to me and tells me how it feels to be an AWR customer and also how it feels to be a chap of a similar age to me. It’s all excellent.
Please keep me right with 50odd as I say. I am really trying to not over-think. Just have a nice time and scribble away. I am writing for nobody in particular. About my life.
Thank you for being here :o)