Tag: Dad

Mid Life Creativity

Do you ever have moments, seasons, or even longer stages of life where you question many things? Or maybe you find yourself lost and confused. Or, overwhelmed.

Mid Life creativity is critical in moving from a mid life crisis to a mid life celebration.  Several times yesterday, I thought about it being Monday. Monday is “Twistee Treat Day”.  And so is Friday.

Seemingly insignificant, or trivial, at first glance, isn’t it?

You see, as a mid-life father of a nine-year old, in many ways, I was a “fish out of water” when our son was born.

What to do, right?  Well, it seemed like a good idea to find small ways to create lasting memories (traditions).

Perhaps the main reason this is challenging for me is because, when I tried to recall these things with my Dad and my Grandfather, I was coming up empty.  Both men loved me and I loved them.

I just simply don’t remember any special things that we did together.

Tomorrow I’ll share a creative mid-life list of some of the things that are so simple, and yet so significant, that they will last  life time.  Who wouldn’t want that?

Mid Life Workaholics

“Workaholics commit slow suicide by refusing to allow the child inside them to play”. — Dr. Lawrence Susser

Recognizing the intense desire to do a good job, many people still have a challenging time overcoming mid life work addiction.

My Grandfather worked full-time, plus he ran a TV repair business out of his basement.  This was back in the day when Televisions were heavy and huge.  He had to travel to people’s homes.  This traveling and the work required to repair TV’s in the basement, plus the travel to return the TV, must have made his work commitment enormous.

My Dad worked 5 1/2 days every single week at the Paper Mill.  On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, he taught 30-minute drum lessons in our living room – from 4pm until 8pm.  On Friday and Saturday nights, he played drums in a band – weddings, anniversaries, clubs, etc.

Now it’s my turn. Working at a Fortune 100 Company, there is no shortage of work to be done. And I’ve done it willingly for several decades.  Now, I’m also working on my retirement business – to help raise enough money to find a cure for our son’s Crohn’s disease.

The difference, I perceive, is that I have found creative ways to be part of our son’s life.  But only after I squandered the first four decades of my life.

Mid Life Monday?

Mid Life Monday?   Seems so.

And here’s a thought:

“As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say.  I just watch what they do”. – Andrew Carnegie

This is why so many people, myself included, struggle in life.  Our intentions and our behaviors are two different things.  This sends the wrong, and unintentional, message to others.

Not until we become aware of this, admit to it, and then resolve to change, can we lead a better, more fulfilling life.

A life with more peace and contentment.

At least that’s my intent.

Carpe diem, jeff noel  🙂

Mid Life Errors?

Mid Life Errors?

“Rather an error of the intellect, than an error of the heart”. —  jeff noel

There have been times in my life when I’ve made “stupid mistakes“.  And I’m certain there are more to be made as long as I’m alive.  Ya with me?

However, there have been very few that I’ve intentionally gone out of my way to be hurtful.

It’s my intention to never do that again, ever!

While I’ll never be labeled a genius, there’s still a chance to be labeled “a good man with a good heart“.

Carpe diem, jeff noel 🙂