October 16, 2008
I can't wait until I am 50???
In the wake of the upcoming Positive Aging Conference….to be held in Minneapolis and a bunch of other live sites around North America…..on November 12th. (Check out this link if you are interested in attending), I thought it might be interesting to comment on a league-playing tennis player's view on turning 50…and then 60.
We LOVE to turn 50… On January 1st of the year in which a tennis player will turn 50, you are able to play in "Seniors" leagues. So, for example, I play at the 4.0 level here in Minnesota. I was accosted by a friend of mine recently who asked excitedly: "Barb, when do you turn 50?" Not a thought that I keep on my mind very often, I paused and thought about it…..and said "I guess, in about a year….I was born in 1959." She became quite excited….."Great! We are putting together a Seniors' team…will you be on it? You can play starting in January!"
So, why do we love this awesome opportunity? Well there are certain realities of age….one of them is physical strength. At 49, I am competing with youngsters who played tennis on their college teams. I do enjoy the challenge of being competitive with them, but if you want to progress to sectionals and nationals for league tennis as a team, it might be a bit difficult.
So, when I turn 50, I will be the young one again! 
I thought about work on getting people engaged in the wonderful and fulfilling Midlife that we all strive for…..and here is a group of people who already naturally LOOK FORWARD to becoming 50. And in fact, when I talked to another tennis friend who informed me that the same phenomenon occurs at 60 for tennis players. At 60 you can play SUPER SENIORS leagues….you see!!!
When I am about 58, I will SOOOO be lookiing forward to turning 60.
Tennis players may be odd, you say? Well maybe and maybe not!
So, thought for the day….be the young one again! In this age when people are living on average to about 80, we midlifers ARE the young ones and we will be so for MANY years.
Let's see all the opportunities that brings for us.
Barb
Filed under Adventures into Purpose!, Blog, Blog: Barb Reindl by Barb Reindl
Comments on I can't wait until I am 50??? »
At age 33 I may not be a part of your target demographic. But I must say that lately I have found myself searching for role-models for aging not just gracefully but with energy, confidence and daring. My generation has been bombarded with messages about unattainable standards of beauty and youth. Now my peers and I are watching our bodies change - we have to work ever harder at keeping fit and healthy. It's so nice to have examples of women who are a few years ahead of us and loving it. I hope you'll keep the women of my generation in mind as you write - we are looking to you for inspiration too!