The midlife transitions create inspiring, positive, challenging encounters. With change comes risks, so we should therefore identify the risks, manage the risks, and transfer the risks. Change removes us from our comfort zone, our stable place, and makes situations fluid, impacting on our ability to respond effectively.
At the quarter stage of life, we might have consciously and unconsciously developed a philosophy in life.
This philosophy can be broadly divided into 3 parts:
i. The Basic Philosophy of Life
Understanding the basic laws of life, the way life functions, good and evil, personal responsibility, and the cause & effect theory.
ii. Expanded Philosophy
Developing principles of value creation, benefits, and exchange to match the expectations of business enterprises and family structure.
iii. Refined Philosophy
The expression of personal ideology inspired by higher education, new thinking, debates, discussions, deeper knowledge of life, personal contemplations, and new skills and new intellectual reasonings.
These 3 categories of philosophy are acquired through different sources such as teaching - through books, classes, influences - through parents, teachers and peers, associations, guiding policies, norms and culture.
It is therefore important to ask yourself these questions:
Who and what are my primary influences?
Who do I surround myself with?
How do I feel when I’m around them?
What have I become based on the association?
You can trace your thinking patterns and ideology to people, associations, education, and background. You can determine the source and quality of your philosophy in life.
Middlescence gives you the opportunity to reassess your philosophy and see the impact. You can consciously reflect and develop new sets of basic and expanded philosophy and articulate a set of refined philosophy to lead you through midlife and later life.
Developing a new set of ideologies requires openness, a new mindset, active listening, and flexibility to try new things. These are cardinal to smooth and well managed life transitions.
Could you relate with this post? Let us know in the comments.
We look forward to reading your observations, contributions, and answering any of your questions.
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Article by:
Oye Stir (The Midlife Coach)
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