I was talking with a Life Coaching client yesterday about some tasks we had put in place the previous week.
On the whole he had nailed them and done a fantastic job of being 100% committed.
Except that is for one thing. Of five things he committed to do, sadly, one remained unfinished.
Whereas he wasn’t about to slash his wrists in annoyance, he was a little disappointed in himself and looked extremely sheepish.
I asked what stopped him following through with his promise and his response went something like this:
“I know it’s not much of an excuse, but a friend I haven’t seen in months came over and also my daughter came to stay with the grandkids and I spent a lot of time with them”
He’s absolutely right, that’s not much of an excuse.
In fact it’s a pathetic excuse, and do you know why?
It’s not a excuse at all, it’s a fucking brilliant reason!
You are here on this earth to enjoy yourself and be happy.
If spending quality time with great friends and playing with your kids or grandkids are the kind of activities that make you happy, then do them.
I know I bring up death beds a lot around here, but trust me when I say you will never lie on your death bed wracked with guilt because you missed a trip to the gym 25 years earlier.
But you may lie there disappointed you never spent as much quality time as you’d have liked with the people that meant the most to you.
To paraphrase Freud,
“Sometimes a reason is just a reason”
It’s My Birthday And I’ll Give Stuff Away If I Want To
Today (Saturday) is my birthday and rather annoyingly it will be the last one where I can claim to be a fortysomething.
In many respects it sucks approaching 50, especially when I still appear to have the brain of a 25 year old, but on the other hand it’s substantially better than the alternative, which is death.
To celebrate entering my 50th year I want to give stuff away.
So if you’d like my self development combo pack of books for nothing, simply go and buy it and then type in the coupon code “birthday” and the books are yours for free.
I can’t give How To Be Rich and Happy away, but I can say if you go and buy that and enter the same coupon code you will get a very hefty discount.
Both offers expire at midnight Monday 25th and I will not be extending that or listening to any sob stories about not reading the post in time. Tough!
Cheers Tim and happy birthday… don’t worry 50 isn’t so scary when it arrives :)
I know, it’ll be cool, I think it’s just that I don’t want to grow up, I like being an immature ass ;-)
Who said you have to grow-up? The hubby and I spent the whole week of our 50th birthday celebrating and having all kinds of fun. We didn’t see any need to change being who we were, albeit a bit more slowly some days.
Nancy
http://www.dogear6.com
Happy Birthday Tim! And if it makes you feel any better, I know plenty of people over 50 who are immature asses! Which leads me to conclude that a norm has been set, and being 50 doesn’t actually mean you have to grow up ;)
I’m not 50 for another year, but your damn right, I don’t have to grow up!
Happy Birthday, Tim!!! Thank you for all you do. Wishing you lots of joy for the next year, your 50s and beyond! :)
Thanks a lot Naomi!
Happy Birthday Tim !
As someone said – Age is strictly a case of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.
Cheers :)
I’ll work a bit more on the not minding then ;-)
Happy 7-squared!
As someone looking at my last 50-something birthday, I can safely say you have nothing to fear. In my Fifties, I started two successful businesses, got heavily into punk, and cheered up & calmed down significantly. With your already considerable foundation, you’ll have an even better decade than the last.
All the best from the Land of Enchantment,
Rebecca
Wow, now that really has given me something to think about! Nicely done.
Happy Birthday Tim. Thank you for the present. Wishing you a great day.
You’re welcome and it’s been a cool one.
Thanks Tim and Happy Birthday!
Hope you enjoy then Barak.
Happy Birthday, Tim! And, thanks for the present!
Thanks and you’re welcome!
Hey Tim,
what’s wrong with the brain of a 25 year old? fast connections and lots of development possibilities doesn’t sound so bad, does it?
Happy “approaching the brain of a 25 year old” – day !!
Wolf
Excellent to hear from you Wolf. I was only on your site the other day looking at your photos, some really brilliant stuff and I hope you’re enjoying it.
BTW. the photos with the masks, was that due to a volcano eruption? It was in German so I was a bit confused. Looked really surreal.
Thanks for the feedback, Tim!
Yes, volcanic ash flying around from an eruption 50 miles away which now goes into its 8th week..
Hardly anybody north of the equator has heard/read about it – blog post in English about that coming up soon !
Happiest Birthday to YOU -
I already have these amazing books but just wanted to pop in and say “Cheers!” and “Thank YOU” for sharing your thoughts — “How to be Rich and Happy” changed my life.
Seriously.
That’s brilliant to know Olivia and thanks so much for telling me.
Hi Tim,
Hope you have a fab day. As someone in the early part of the 50s decade, some of us truly don’t realize we are there yet. Being a responsible adult doesn’t mean we have to give up fun or act like pious prudes. I’m having more fun now than I did when I was younger and certainly don’t feel my age. I also decided that I don’t have to decide what I want to be when I grow up. I can just do and be “me” and everybody else can get over it. If you’re doing what you love and love what you’re doing, you’ve got it made. And THANKS for giving us a present on YOUR birthday. How cool is that?!?!?!?
~Debi
Wise words Debi, because you’re right, I’m a way more contented person that I was when I was in my twenties.
Happy birthday! Just had mine on the 21st! That’s an amazing offer on your books. Thank you!
Hope you had a good one Benny!
Good on you Tim,
Happy 50th! The 50′s are great. It just comes down to the attitude of living & Life continually gets better if you allow it to.
be good to yourself
David
It’s my 49th mate, don’t age me just yet ;-) Thanks anyway!
Have a great Birthday and a wonderful summer. I enjoy your newsletter so much. Thanks for the great books!
Thanks for reading Paula!
I love the advice you gave your friend. Taking advantage of unexpected opportunities to connect with friends and family is one of the best things in the world and nuts to the schedules. I’m glad you told the story – it gave me a chance to see that your life in action.
Happy birthday and thanks for the reverse gift!
Nancy
http://www.dogear6.com
Happy Birthday and Than You for sharing and caring…
Have a fun day, year, life….
Will do Karl, thanks!
Congratulations!
I really enjoy your postings and your e-books.
Hope to re-connect when you have some time.
Thanks,
Yuval
Thanks Yuval
your generousity is unbelievable!! thanks for sharing your birthday and helping make people happy!!
Not sure I’d go that far Sancia, but I appreciate the kind words, thanks.
A (belated!) Happy Birthday Tim!!
I was always told that 40 was the one to watch out for. Guess that makes 50 the new 40? Which actually maybe makes you 10 years younger? Maybe? ;)
Hope it was a fab one!
I’m only 49! Stop aging me Edwards ;-)
Hey Tim,
Happy Belated Birthday! Age is just a measurement when you are living a greater purpose in life.
And yes, I agree that doing things that are truly important and enjoyable to us, is probably one of the most important reason to be alive, and human.
Thanks a lot Joseph!
Hi! I just downloaded the combo pack and it’s 10:44pm and the freebie code still works! Just thought I should let everyone know that there is still time to get some great information for free before the night is done! :) Thanks again!
You’re welcome Fi, glad you managed to snag it.