On Turning 51 and Planting Both Feet Firmly in the 2nd Half

Usher wows the crowds, spins around the stage on roller skates, and gives a shout out to his Mama. Meanwhile, the teams are in the locker room. Half the Super Bowl is over. They’re warmed up. They know their strengths, their opponents, and their focus is on the second half of the game.

When interviewed about his half time show performance Usher said it was, “One performance 30 years in the making.” For the players going back into the last 30 minutes of play time it was their chance to showcase their decades of practice, play, and dedication.

I turn 51 today. I realize I may have passed “half time” a few yards back. 50 still feels like halfway. At 51 my feet feel firmly planted in the second half of my life.

As a kid I always loved my birthday. June 7th marked dance recitals and end of school celebrations. It kicked off summer days roaming the acres of my grandparent’s farm.

Now I have a head of gray hair and wrinkles in spots they don’t make cream for, but I still love my birthday and making wishes for the year ahead. I’ve got 51 years of finding out who I am behind me. Now it’s time to become more of that person (for better or worse!).

Here are my wishes for the rest of the game:

Less more

More of less.

Less messages

More conversations.

Less like

More love.

Less italics

More bold.

Less 405

More PCH.

Less mind

More body and heart.

Less getting through

More being present with.

Less cold car seats

… I’m as annoyed as you are about this next one… 

More cold plunges. 🥶

Less tears

More goosebumps.

Less how do I look

More how do I feel.

Less rightness or wrongness

More resonance.

Less reboot

More unplug.

Less exploring far and wide

More expansion.

Less jealousy

More admiration.

Less watching the clock

More experiencing time.

Less knowledge

More wisdom.

Less trying 

More effort.

Less how are they doing it?

More what’s my way?

Less Page

More Queen. 👑

Less routines

More rituals. 

Less plain

More everything. 🥯

Less overthinking. Period. 

More pinball!

Less runs

More hikes, swims, and yoga.

Less going out

More coming home. 

Less making

More creating.

Less ballet slippers

More tap shoes.

💟