Another Trip Around the Sun | The Gift of Age

I Think I'm Getting Younger?

Another year around the sun, and at 58, it's striking how the weight of years doesn't burden me, but rather lightens my path. The recent research from the Journal of Personality, Narrative Self-Transcendence: Decreased Regret and Increased Acceptance Over Late Midlife, speaks volumes to my experience—reflecting on our life stories, both triumphant and challenging, cultivates greater self-acceptance, personal growth, and a forward-looking optimism that defies conventional wisdom about aging.

The notion of a "midlife crisis" appears increasingly mythical when examined through the lens of evidence. This period—late midlife as researchers term it—presents not a descent into existential floundering but an opportunity for profound positive transformation. It's less about sports cars and regrets, more about integration and deep self-connection.

What stands out with particular clarity is how our interpretations of life events carry more power than the events themselves. Like a musician finding harmony in seemingly disparate notes, I've discovered that meaning emerges not just from what occurred, but from how these experiences flow into my personal narrative. Those moments of complete immersion—whether lost in the creation of music, the rhythm of writing, or the dance of meaningful conversation about life's greatest mysteries—have become the cornerstone of my self-understanding.

The longitudinal study tracking individuals from 56 to 65 reveals something particularly compelling: as participants achieved a sense of closure and self-actualization, they experienced an expanded sense of connection beyond themselves. This resonates deeply with my own explorations into the nature of reality and time—those philosophical questions that keep me awake at night, wondering how consciousness interfaces with the universe around us. These flow states, where time seems to both stretch and compress, offer glimpses into a reality beyond our conventional understanding.

At 58 today, I find myself still in a state of becoming—still unfolding, still learning, still evolving. Each conversation about existence, each moment lost in musical creation, each writing session where words pour forth effortlessly—these are not mere pastimes but gateways to deeper integration. My fascination with how reality works, with the mysterious nature of time and consciousness, has become not just an intellectual pursuit but a lived experience that enriches my daily existence.

This research provides a structured framework for understanding why that might be. It's not about denying the accumulation of years but embracing them as chapters in an ongoing narrative. Each birthday represents not merely the passing of time but advancement into a more integrated and accepting version of myself—one who increasingly finds meaning in those flow states where the boundaries between self and experience dissolve into something greater.

Enjoy your life

The alternative isn’t as good.

Jordan