A present from me…
So today is my 40th birthday and I’ve decided to take the day off, even if the crappy weather has ruined my plans to hike Anthony’s Nose, since I’m not a big fan of hiking in the mud. Let’s call it a gift to all of the C-level executives who have never made an appearance on footnoted.org — and there are many — in the nearly three years I’ve been blogging. Or maybe we’ll say it’s to mark the passing of Ken Lay. Either way. To mark my big 4-0, I hope that you will consider making a donation to support the site and keep footnoted.org advertising-free. For a $40 donation, I will happily send you a signed copy of Financial Fine Print. And, if anyone has any wise words on getting older, I’ll take those too!
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 11 Comments » |
July 5th, 2006 at 11:36 am
On getting older/having birthdays etc: It beats the hell out of the alternatives.
July 5th, 2006 at 11:57 am
It could be worse. You could be celebrating your 50th birthday! See here:
—————————————
“Jon, Why Does It Get Harder After 50?â€
This was a great question from J.D. Macias, a Fit Over 40 reader. I asked J.D. if he wouldn’t mind me sharing my answer with all of you…
J.D.;
After 50, I believe most of us stop looking for challenges in life and start looking for comfort. This I believe is a mistake…and one that is exacerbated by the notion that “challenge†means “pain.â€
“Pain†is perception and definition – nothing more. It ‘literally’ doesn’t exist except in our mind. Some pain is more “real†and much more difficult than others of course, such as disease. However, the “pain†we attribute to training, fitness, “dietsâ€, or new challenges is 100% mental.
Merely changing the word from “task†or “gotta†to “challengeâ€, or even “adventureâ€, triggers the mind into a new direction.
As simple as that sounds, please give it a try. You’ll be surprised what any ‘body’ can do at any age.
If you need total inspiration, grab Fit Over 40 today. It’s been over a year and a half since I first profiled these 52 amazing role models, and I still get inspired daily by them!
Jon Benson
Creator/Co-Author of Fit Over 40: Role Models For Excellence At Any Age
http://www.fitover40.com/newsletter/
July 5th, 2006 at 12:09 pm
Hmmm….a $40 donation might be difficult considering I’m a starving college student, but Happy Birthday! I really enjoy your site! And I don’t know what this quote has to do with getting older, but it remains my favorite:
“Evolved individuals act with expectation, succeed without taking credit, and have no desire to display their excellence.†–Lao Tzu
July 5th, 2006 at 12:57 pm
Happy Birthday, Michelle! Maybe we’ll both live long enough to see the day when the SEC requires a font bigger than “squint”.
July 5th, 2006 at 1:56 pm
I realize that what I’m about to say will draw sneers and possibly jeers from cynics, but that’s okay. I don’t mind. I have to say what I know in my heart is the truth: I think growing older is a wonderful gift. Aside from the obvious gift — if you’re no longer around to celebrate a birthday, you’re, um, well, no longer around — I embrace each passing year with a welcoming smile because I see each coming year as a chance to learn and growe. The body we inhabit is destined to stop working some day, and I know that hurts, and sometimes it hurts real bad. But I view that fundamental truth — our inevitable physical end — as a profound gift because it reminds us that we are not just our bodies; in fact, we are not human beings having an occasional spiritual experience, but spiritual beings having a temporary human experience. There is no age, no time, no limit. If we connect with the infinite, can you imagine where we can go?
Good for you, hitting the big four-oh — I’ll join you there in about 8 months!
Let’s do our very best to stay young at heart, laugh more easily, love more deeply, forgive more readily, and grow more wisely. As Steve Jobs advised Stanford’s Class of 2005 in his commencement speech: “Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.”
Best wishes for a Joyous, Foolish, Funny, Laughter-filled, Peaceful and Happy Birthday.
July 5th, 2006 at 9:40 pm
As one who is nearly a generation ahead of you, I have some counsel from my late grandmother, UC-Berkeley ’12; Grandmother Miller was, next to my wife, the wisest person I’ve ever met. She lived to be 106. “Never look back,” she said. “Always look forward. You’re either looking to live or waiting to die. I choose living.”
From Kenny Rogers: “Assuming good health, you need three things to be happy: (1) someone to love, (2) something to do that you love, and (3) something to look forward to.”
Works for me. Happy #39-B!
July 6th, 2006 at 6:09 am
Happy late birthday, Michelle. I recently started following your blog, and I am hooked. I love this stuff; stickin’ it to the man one story at a time.
July 6th, 2006 at 12:17 pm
Happy birthday, albeit belatedly, Michelle. Hope the hike went well!
July 8th, 2006 at 6:17 pm
Happy Birthday!
Forty is nothing. A bump in the road.
Keep up the great work and listen to GDRADIO.NET for 24/7 Grateful Dead
to relax and keep focused!
All the best,
Alan
July 10th, 2006 at 6:19 pm
Happy belated birthday—im 36, and i gotta tell you—it feels old as @#T. I will send you the $40 in 2 weeks ( i’ll gladly pay you tuesday) as i am travelling (sp?) but please, please, please (no space for 40 pleases) keep up your work. Thank you. Sincerely, David Rauch
July 20th, 2006 at 3:19 am
Happy B’day. Just sent $40 – wasn’t really planning to make another donation so soon after the first one, but b’days come only once a year right ?
Your posts are great – I just wish some of these execs are sent to the gallows right away before they can do more damage!!!