And my life begins...

Here's a disturbing thought - A study of 2,282 people aged 18 to 87 found that hitting 40 was synonymous with forgetfulness, lack of concentration and poor focus. (Read Here).  I just turned 40 and I was suffering from forgetfulness, lack of concentration and poor focus even when I was younger!  Just ask my wife and she'll tell you ( I love you, Teng).

However, a psychologist from Tel Aviv is saying that  when people are in their 40s and 50s, they have matured, learned to take some of life's hiccups in stride, learned more about themselves and the world around them, and so are uniquely poised to take advantage of the next phase of their lives.  He also adds that this may be the time for many people to finally tackle projects or dreams that they've been putting off. They might have a better chance of succeeding because their choices will be based on knowledge and experience, rather than youthful blind ambition. (Read)

Here are interesting facts about 40:

• 40 (forty) is the natural number following 39 and preceding 41. (I bet you knew that already)


• Forty is an octagonal number, and as the sum of the first four pentagonal numbers, it is a pentagonal pyramidal number. Adding up some subsets of its divisors (e.g., 1, 4, 5, 10 and 20) gives 40, hence 40 is a semiperfect number. (for you math freaks out there)


• The atomic number of zirconium (look that up).


• Several Israelite leaders and kings are said to have ruled for "forty years", that is, a generation. (Examples: Eli, Saul, David, Solomon.)


• Moses' life is divided into three 40-year segments, separated by his fleeing from Egypt, and his return to lead his people out.

"Give yourself the chance to truly reassess your choices and to see how you can now use your self-knowledge and live a much more meaningful life than you've lived before. Mid-life can be the moment where you can truly realize your dreams because you know yourself much better." (Carlo Strenger)

And so I start my life all over again...