In Japan, when a person turns 60 years old, it is believed that they then begin their second childhood. This is because they are old enough to have been around the Chinese zodiac calendar with its 12 animal years (rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and boar) five times. And, in the lunar calendar, each of those 12-year cycles represents one of the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water); so five cycles totals 60 years.
While I’m not yet 60, I have nonetheless begun to think about starting over in a number of ways having a rebirth. In the last few years, as I have approached my 50th birthday, I’ve started to let go of people and things that are no longer serving me well. I realized that there were people in my life who drained my energy rather than bringing me joy. I began to let them go. And, I recognized that were roles, behaviors, and thought patterns that used to protect and benefit me in some ways but had instead become limiting.
So, just as a child needs to learn to walk, I need to learn to take on new roles, behaviors and thought patterns. And, just as a child is best served with curiosity and a lack of fear, curiosity and fearlessness are what I need as I move forward. I try to model myself after my daughter.
As a baby, my daughter knew no fear. She started climbing up bookshelves before she could walk. As she got older, when other mothers would watch her climbing all over the playground, they would get anxious and worry about how high she climbed. But I knew that, along with her fearlessness, my daughter has a strong sense of what her true limitations are and that she wouldn’t do anything beyond her abilities.
What people, roles, behaviors, or thought patterns are no longer serving you? Do you find yourself helping others and never asking for help? Do you take care of others while neglecting your own needs and desires? Do you have defenses set up to protect you from pain that have instead become hard shells that keep you from receiving gifts, blessing, and love?
Hey Deb,
I liked this message about rebirth, choice, curiosity, and fearlessness.
Joe
Thanks for the feedback, Joe
Hey Deb, It is exciting to see your blog. I am thinking of doing the same. Reaching 67 and looking forward to the future and being in the present, I certainly can understand your thoughts. I am forwarding your blog to family and friends. Becoming a new me is my path these days and I feel so very fortunate. Thanks for the incentive to get my blog going and I will continue to stay intouch. Happy to have met you in writing class. Barbara
Barbara,
I’m happy my post gave you incentive to get started on your blog.
Be well and stay in touch.
Deb
Dear Deb,
It’s so true that we need to recapture that childhood fearlessness. I’m not over 60 yet either but I do know what you mean about shedding those elements that are not a positive force in our lives.
I know a woman who is approaching 60 and suddenly has urges to do new things, see new places, experiment and flout convention in ways she never has before. She has no idea of why. I think I will tell her about the Japanese theory. It might explain a lot for her.
Thanks for posting this and for sharing your blog.
hi
I agree with what you are saying . the day i stop having curosity i am dead really . these are addictions that limit us and we need to let go even competence addiction .
i am reframing my relationships all the time , like each time i meet you i discover something new about you and me .
there are some people who shing lights and give energy and some relationships that are wet blankets and suck energy .
our awareness is to awaken our consciousness to that or how to open our energy to next level of consciousness . love and hugs on friendship day
sush
Dear Deborah,
I knew that 60 was a significant birthday for the Japanese, but didn’t have the “why” explained! Although I’m still having trouble adjusting to the reality that I’ve turned 60 almost three years ago, I do identify with having a new outlook and spirit of adventure! And yes, I’m still yearning to write some kind of a reflective memoir of my year in Japan….
Peace! Barbara-Jean
Hey Sush,
Curiosity does keep us alive, doesn’t it? If we can no longer take energy, ideas, information, love, etc. in, we have closed ourself off to life.
Barbara-Jean,
So glad to hear you are staying adventurous in your 60’s. Wish you all the best.
Deb
Dear Deb,
I’ve been feeling and telling folks who have trepidation about aging that after 50 life gets better, richer and deeper and that it’s a beautiful thing. Now I’m thinking that perhaps turning 50 is the beginning of the buildup to glorious 60! Thanks for yet another piece of affirmation and wisdom.
Love,
Michael
Hey Michael,
Definitely – richer, deeper and better.
Love,
Deb