A quote from Kristin Armstrong

 

Photo by Kary Schumpert

“What is the best part about being 40? . . .

You get to say the things you used to think about but would never say.  Other times you choose to keep your mouth shut because it just doesn’t bother you anymore.  You aren’t afraid of having a preference or an opinion, no matter if anyone else agrees with you or not.  You do the things you used to talk about doing but never did.  You quit playing small.  You learn to forgive.  You learn the difference between when to let go and when to hold on tight.  You stop rushing.  You aren’t intimidated to say it like it is.  You eat what you want, screw it.  You aren’t as worried about getting hurt because you know you can bounce back.  You rarely feel like a fraud in your own skin.  You have earned the right to be an expert in something.  You stop apologizing all the time.  You see the humor in things, especially yourself.  You finally wake up and realize you are as hot as you’re going to get in this lifetime, so you might as well enjoy it.  You stop blaming people and get to work.  You learn to say no, so your yes has some oomph.  You stick up for people who are too young or feeble to do it right.  You buy clothes that fit you today and get rid of the old ones in your closet that taunt you. If your marriage has made it this far, you really love it and take better care of it.  If you’re single, you don’t settle. You spend time with the friends who lift you, and cut loose the ones who bring you down.  You stop giving your power away.  You are more concerned with being interested than interesting.  You see the value of being on time.  You get to be in a new age group at races. You are old enough to appreciate your freedom, and young enough to enjoy it.

You finally know who you are.”–Kristin Armstrong, “Two Years to Prepare” from Runner’s World Mile Markers blog/column. 

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