For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed in us.  Romans 8:18

“over the hill” plus one.

what does ai say about being “over the hill”? “The phrase “over the hill” comes from a metaphor comparing life to climbing a hill, with the peak representing youth and the descent symbolizing decline and aging. It originated in England around the early to mid-1900s, and its first known use was recorded in 1946. The idiom suggests someone is past their prime, though it can also be used playfully. 

The Metaphor Explained by ai…

The Descent: Going “over the hill” signifies the beginning of the inevitable decline that comes with age and passing one’s peak. The Climb: The upward journey on the hill represents youth and growth.  The Peak: Reaching the top of the hill is likened to being in one’s prime.” 

nah. we ain’t doing that. i don’t think i will go over that hill just yet… the thirties were not quite what i anticipated them to be….. however, i am still thankful. Only the LORD knows what the forties look like – but I refuse to allow them to be my descent into decline.

I made a list.

I made a list of things I want to do before I turn fifty.  Achieve. Accomplish. Experience. Obey.

Some on the list are so incredibly silly. And some are incredibly thoughtful. Some are purposeful and some are completely meaningless. It is my list. For my purposes. Well, I pray for the Lord’s purposes.

We control very little. We have a saying in business, “control the controllables”.   The sun rises without our permission or direction.  The sun sets in the same way. We are not needed for any of it to occur. It just happens – at least from our perspective. 

What about the ocean tides?  Do we direct that?  Or the rain that falls?  What role do we play in each of these areas…. And what if we weren’t here, would those items still happen?  

The tide comes at the exact time and exact place it needs to.  It never comes any further than it is supposed to and that tide is impacted by the very gravitational pull that influences the solar system. Something so simple, so small, is a result of something so invisible that we have no control over. 

The human body – let’s investigate this. Sure we can control what we eat and drink and how much we move, but can you tell your stomach to process food or your gallbladder to do whatever it does?  

Control. As women, we think we need to orchestrate and manage everything, but do we?  If we don’t, will the world come to an end?  What if we slowed down, is it possible? Or change our perspective on it all.

Who controls is all? Who knows the number of our days? Who has it all determined beforehand? Who is the Almighty and deserves to be feared, revered and awe? I choose today to control the controllables – I will not look at aging as dying, I will choose to look at it as living more intimately with purpose and vision. I want to walk closer to Jesus – in mind, body, soul and spirit. I want to treat my body as His Temple. I want to cherish and be thankful for whatever comes my way.

I want to be labeled –

“Blessed are those who have nothing to offer; blessed are those who weep and grieve over their sin; blessed are those who know all things comes to their lives from God….” Matthew 5

“put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations which are being committed in its midst.” Ezekiel 9

“Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who esteem His name.” Malachi 3

A list of things I’ve never done and must do before 50. In NO particular order. This list is no condemnation or view of anything more than my wild list that came to me and when the time comes I still may decide not to. 😝. My list, my right to change – with direction from The Lord.

This list is not in its fullness- because some things should be kept sacred. 🤟🏻

• North Dakota visit – COMPLETED
• South Dakota visit – COMPLETED
• New Mexico visit – COMPLETED
• Climb LeConte visit – COMPLETED
• Stay at LeConte Lodge
• Hike 40 miles of the Appalachian Trail
• Ritz Carlton stay one night 
• Run a half marathon 
• Go for a hike alone
• Get a spray tan – Not like Ross Gellar
• Go skiing in Alps/Banff/Colorado, but maybe just Ober Gatlinburg
• Fast for 40 days
• Learn to play one song on the piano
• Learn to set up, edit and sell my own photograph from my hubby
• Conquer a Suduko puzzle
• Beat Clif in a video game
• Read all CS Lewis books
• Read all Tozer books
• See a shooting star
• Hike in Peru, Macchu Pichu
• Adopt two more babies
• Viking cruise
• Read 500 books 
• Read through the Bible 7 times
• Sleep one night on every continent or six of them
• Buy some land
• Memorize three books of the Bible
• Watch a game at Wrigley
• Watch a game at Fenway
• Watch a game at Yankee Stadium
• Italy
• Kayak somewhere spectacular 
• Spend several days completely off-grid
• Memorize the Sermon on the Mount
• Do something significant that nobody ever knows I did
• Give outrageously to someone who can never repay me
• Make sure the people I love actually know how much I love them
• Create something that will still exist after I am long gone
• Visit the pyramids of Egypt.
• Cruise the Nile.
• See Petra by candlelight.
• Walk the Great Wall of China.
• Visit Japan during cherry-blossom season.
• See wild gorillas in Africa.
• Write a book
• Have a family adventure once per year that the kids help pick- even if just one day
• Write a letter to my fifty year old self

Some of these may not happen, but dreams are fun. No stress, just fun!