Birthdays after 40 should not be celebrated.

‘Life begins at forty. This is the revolutionary outcome of our New Era. Today it is half a truth. Tomorrow it will be an axiom.’- Walter B. Pitkin

This phrase means that when one attains the middle age bracket, then that is the point where life begins. 40 is a very coveted age. Anyone who has the means usually celebrates this age in style. For those who don’t, chances are they were born in the conservative and insipid times or had boring and lackadaisical lives where celebration was either during remembrance of a loved one or when they attended a wedding.

Arthur Schopenhauer even did better when he said, ‘The first forty years of life give us the text: the next thirty supply the commentary.’ 

Aptly, sad to say the phrase was aimed or directed at the women folk. They are the people who bear the greatest responsibility in bringing up children. By the age of 40, most are usually free from the burden that is characterized by having to tend the tot, do general house work and other chores that are mostly associated with women.

But the world has changed. Women are empowered and more women than ever before are replacing men in the erstwhile careers that were predominant to the male fraternity. 

A brief history shows that in the mediaeval times, most people in Europe had a life expectancy of 25 years. When the renaissance period came into force, so many changes were witnessed with fields such as agriculture, medicine and science contributing heavily to improving the living standards of most Europeans.

In fact it was more accurate to say 'death begins at forty' as most people didn't live much beyond that age. 

However, in the 20^th century, a lot was able to be witnessed. Mothers became more free compared to their Victorian counterparts who had to do all the household chores using archaic means. With the invention of many machines such as washing machines, cookers, and a host of other gadgets, life became a little easy.

African and a host of Asian countries are still caught up with the phrase ‘Life starts at 40.’

Many people due to abject penury and irresponsible lives usually fail to reach this age in these two continents. 

On the hand, in America and Europe, the phrase has changed, ‘Life begins at 60’, they say. This is due to the improved living standards and the fact that the average person survives on more than $50,000.

As an individual, 40 is an age that comes with a lot of responsibility. It is a time when one should show a lot of maturity and wisdom. The first 40 years were well spent in youthful exploration and experiencing the various facets of life.

At 40, one should find a passion or continue with what he enjoys most. 40 again is a ripe age where the puzzles of life become more realistic. In 40 years, one should have learned enough to truly know what he seeks and what truly makes him happy. At this age, one is mature enough to enjoy life and not repeat some of the mistakes committed before that age.

If you haven’t celebrated a birthday before 40, please don’t start or continue celebrating it. Past 40, one is experienced in life. One does not need to be calling others to remind them that they have birthdays. 

This goes out especially to women. At the beginning of this article, I said 40 was a time when women would be relieved of the persistent duties that they have. 

At 40, one should be free with the self. It is a time when you should have saved enough to build an abode, whether humble or palatial. This is the time when one has kids either in college, high school or primary. The children are the people who you should care about. They make the world a place to be desired.

Instead of celebrating a birthday, try something that is more phenomenal. Think of a startup or an idea that can make you and the air around you cozier. Sam Walton started Wal-Mart at or about his 40^th birthday. His family is arguably the richest in the world. Sad that his landlord refused to renew his lease after seeing him rake in lots of profits in his venture. He proceeded to build the world's largest shopping location and a huge fortune.

The kernel of this story is to provoke those out there to think about getting past 40. At that age, one should be decisive and cogent with life. This means not saying yes to anything and getting worried of the unknowns. If you never tried cigarettes, alcohol, acupuncture and all sorts of crazy and illegal stuff within the 39 years, caveat emptor, don’t even think about it.

Turning forty is a relief though, it’s an excellent time to reflect on what you’ve accomplished: the marathon you ran, the once seemingly impossible career goals you’ve met (almost) and the family you’ve built, whether with a partner or a group of friends. But most of all, it’s the best time to reconnect with The Most High. Perhaps 40 years on earth is the best thing in life.
SITUONANE.