You are born, grow up, and eventually die. Along the way, you turn forty..

For some, turning forty means you’re “over-the-hill.”  You know: birthday parties complete with black balloons, rolls of Lifesavers, and gift baskets filled with hair dye, wrinkle cream, and knock off little blue pills. Maybe you had one yourself? Or maybe you threw one for a friend?

Then there are those who believe forty is fabulous. You know: people who are confident and comfortable in their own skins. People who say, “Yeah! I’m in my forties. I’m bad! This is the best decade of my life.” Maybe that’s you?

In either case, by the time you’re in your forties, you’ve created many stories. It’s time to tell them:

Tell the story about your fortieth birthday.

What made you realize you were really an adult? Tell the story.

Did you set new life goals after you turned forty? What? Why? What happened? Tell the story.

Did you experience a “mid-life crisis”? What happened? Tell the story.

Did you have an extra-marital affair? What happened? Tell the story.

Did you change careers? Why? To what? Tell the story.

Did you become a “workaholic?” Why? How did your family react? Tell the story.

Tell a story about a favorite trip you took when you were in your forties.

Tell a story about your relationship with your children when you were in your forties. Depending on their age, did they start to roll their eyes when you corrected their behavior or offered advice?  How did that make you feel? 

Did you divorce? Why?  How did that affect your children–your parents–your friends? Tell the story.

Tell a story about “reentering” the dating scene.

Tell a story about remarrying.

Tell a story about physical changes that affected your ability to play sports, hike, climb mountains, bike, run, etc.

Did you develop physical ailments such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart conditions? Perhaps you even had a crisis, such as a heart attack. Tell the story.  

Did your sexual impulses and desires change? Tell the story.

Tell a story about what you accomplished when you were in your forties. Did you feel successful? What does success mean to you?

Did your spiritual beliefs change when you were in your forties? What happened? Tell the story.

What is the worst thing about being in your forties? Tell the story.

What is the best thing about being in your forties? Tell the story.