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.

Today I reached a milestone in my life, what is otherwise known as the ‘big 4 0’. I turned 40.

It’s been a bit of a recurring joke in my household that I’ve been dreading the day, more so because I tended to make (half joking, half truthful) comments about the fact.

Now that the day has come and gone, if nothing else, I’m happy that it is here.

I’m not usually one to make a big deal out of my birthday (in fact for my 30th I pretty much hid away from everyone) but I’ve found that I’ve actually been quite happy to let people know that I’m turning 40 today.

Looking back at the last 10 years of my life I can’t help feel that I’ve accomplished quite a lot in a fairly short space of time. I got married, moved house, changed jobs, became self employed, sired two boys, opened my own martial arts club, discovered just about the best open source community out there (that’s you, WordPress peeps) learned a bunch of new skills and learned a whole bunch about myself along the way. That’s not to say things were plain sailing, but I can say with certainty that I definitely handle failure and misfortune better than I used to. I still have my bad days, but I don’t believe they are as intense or drawn out as they used to be.

I’m pretty sure I didn’t have a mid life crisis (although my wife might disagree) and I’m hopeful for the future in that I really do feel like I am where I am supposed to be right now, in order to take the next big steps for the next 10 years.

So roll on 50, I’m looking forward to looking back at another decade with a smile on my face.

For now, I’m just going to enjoy my Whisky and go play some Shadows or Mordor!