Today, I turned 42.
If you’re a fan of sci-fi, specifically Douglas Adam’s “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”, you’ll understand both the importance of this number, and the reference in the title.
I do think it’s sort of apt that the number 42 was used in this context. When I hit 40 I felt good about it, but now, a mere 2 years later, I think I have a much better idea of who I am as a person than I did two years ago, and my place in the world. Isn’t that weird, how two years can make such a difference?
What I have noticed is that in the last 2 years I have been focused less on worrying about what others are doing around me and more on just being a better version of myself. This way of thinking has bled through into all areas of what I do, both personally and professionally, and I think I’m really starting to see fruitful results.
So maybe the answer to the life, the universe, and everything, lies in having the confidence to being honest with myself as to my strengths and weaknesses, which, for me anyway, only comes from being on this earth for 40 years. I feel like there are people who get there earlier than I did, but I’ve learned that we all have our journey to follow, and each is unique, and that’s OK.
This morning I learned that the execution of Archduke Ferdinand, which kicked off WWI, happened on this day, but that the Treaty of Versailles, which effectively ended WWI, also happened on this day.
Isn’t that amazing, two major events that changed the world, happened on exactly the same day. This really gives me some food for thought.
At the end of it all I’m grateful for the 42 years I have spent in this planet, and I look forward to the next 42.
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