BDN Home
- March 27, 2009
Making the Second Half the Best Half
Guest Post by: Robin Harris
Something happens when you come to the intersection called mid-life; you can look back in retrospect and see your life from an entirely different context. For many this mid-life review brings about a sense of urgency that ignites what is formally called “the mid-life crisis”. It’s where we can trace the effects back to causes that were initiated by our own poor decisions, our inattention to important details, our recklessness, our fear, our misplaced priorities, and our ignorance. It can be a pretty bleak experience to really understand, maybe for the first time, that your life really could have been much better if you only knew then what you know now. Ah…but there is a subtle sweetness in enduring the emotional upheaval of a mid-life review and that is the fact that you can decide that the second half will be the best half. You can garner the lessons from your past life by taking the knowledge and the wisdom, and leaving the rest behind. You may also experience grief, regret, anger, and blame. Whatever gut-wrenching emotions you feel should be acknowledged and then gently released. You can choose whether you will continue down your current path or if you will choose a new direction for your life. By consciously deciding how you will live the rest of your life, you can create a life that is extraordinary. It’s a mighty sweet deal when you think about it, but how do you make it happen?Step 1. Create a life vision, not fantasy, that is worth living into that includes personal, professional, and spiritual growth, leveraging your abilities, gifts, and life experiences, contributing to others, having accomplishments that take you beyond lifestyle and status, and building relationships that are life-enhancing.Step 2. Form alliances with those who walk in front of you, beside you, and behind you. There are those who will be teachers and role model in your life, those who will be companions and friends, and those who will be students. Honor each type of relationship for they will all help you advance in life.Step 3. Remove barriers to success by installing new personal qualities, beliefs, habits, skills, and relationships as required. Learn to observe your sticking points, your hot buttons, your negative patterns and work to dismantle them one by one with the understanding that this is a lifetime commitment that requires diligence, patience, and self-care.Step 4. Learn to fan the fires of your own burning desire. Replenish and renew yourself in healthy ways and to balance the various aspects of your life so that you are left feeling whole. Step 5. Stay in the game and expect to win. Know that the Universe is on your side and life embraces and supports evolution and you are playing a critical role in your own personal evolution.
To create an extraordinary life requires that we learn from our mistakes and our victories and continuously re-examine our personal paradigms adjusting them as needed. When you are making the second half the best half, you will find that you will be in a constant state of personal evolution. As you move toward your life’s purpose your envisioned life will become the master plan that will guide your life’s choices if it has been carefully designed to holistically reflect your individual uniqueness, which is woven into the expression of your values, contributions, and priorities.
Your extraordinary life awaits you.











5 Responses to “Making the Second Half the Best Half”
Well said, Bev. I believe that the unexamined life is a wasted life. Moving forward is so much about looking back. If you don’t like what you see in the rearview mirrow, change your directions.
By Debra on Mar 28, 2009
Awesome tips, thank you!
By Betty Lynch on Mar 29, 2009
I love your comment about taking the knowledge and the wisdom!!
By Cindy Shepard on Mar 30, 2009
Great advice Robin. I especially resonate with Step 4 about getting “real”!
By Karen Batchelor on Apr 13, 2009
Excellent advise. This septuagenarian is validating the benefits to be derived by reflecting upon one’s own history. No greater lifelong teacher have I had then Self revealing the innermost core of who I am and what I am about.
A helpful exercise is to draw a life line (make that 18″ long) break out periods of life such as 1-3 yrs, 3-6 yrs, etc. Top of the line,draw diagonal lines and jog notes designating positive events in that period. Bottom of line, draw diagonal lines to designate negative events. Keep in mind both negative and positive are subjective views and sometimes the most negative is the most positive teacher! Great journal material as well as formulae to live by, especially if you have to renavigate your course!!!
By Claudette on Apr 25, 2009