Chapter 1: Understanding Mid-Life

As I navigate my unique journey, I often chuckle at the concept of a mid-life crisis coinciding with retirement. The term "mid-life" implies a halfway mark in our existence, a moment when youthful days begin to fade, and the idea of aging starts to loom large. Yet, let's consider the irony of labeling our late fifties or early sixties as the midpoint of anything. Unless we aim for a lifespan of 120 years—which is quite uncommon—entering our mid-fifties hardly represents a halfway point.

Reflections on the passage of time often hit hard when we reach our early forties. Many people humorously claim to be perpetually 39. As a proud member of Generation X, I can relate; I felt like I was 25 forever, even before hitting puberty. However, there’s a refreshing honesty in acknowledging that our mid-fifties mark the beginning of something extraordinary. Think of it as the tip of the iceberg of aging. Feeling youthful is fantastic, but let’s not deceive ourselves into thinking we are still in the midst of our journey. Instead, let's honor our wisdom, experience, and even our wrinkles and liver spots.

Let’s raise a toast to the onset of our senior years: the adventure continues, and our most significant chapters are still ahead of us. Rather than viewing this as merely aging, let’s see it as evolving. Recognizing where we stand on life’s timeline is a source of strength. Yes, I identify as a geek, and I embrace it wholeheartedly.

When I contemplate my life's path, I find myself facing an intriguing notion: statistically, I have 1024 good weeks remaining. This thought inspires me to categorize these weeks into distinct segments, which I like to call "My 10-Bit Life."

For those unfamiliar with my geeky references, “10 bits” pertains to binary digits. Ten bits can represent 2¹⁰ different values. So, in my case, that translates to 1024 weeks. Of course, these figures are just that—statistics. I could very well live much longer. If 1024 weeks seems brief, consider that you start life with a 12-bit lifespan, equating to roughly 79 years. Therefore, acknowledging that I have 10 of my original 12 bits left feels quite acceptable.

Celebrating Life's Phases

While this perspective on the finite nature of time may sound somber, it feels quite the opposite to me. It’s a celebration of life in all its stages, where each phase presents unique joys and challenges. The Stoics remind us to practice "Memento Mori"—to remember our mortality. This acknowledgment is not morbid but rather a call to live fully.

Steve Jobs, in his 2005 Stanford commencement speech, emphasized the importance of recognizing our mortality when making significant life choices. He stated, "Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life."

Indeed, while I may never physically resemble my twenty-something self, I still possess the ability to move, walk, skate, cycle, laugh, and embrace the world around me. Mentally, I feel as sharp as ever, and there’s no inherent reason for that to change.

So, here’s to the beginning of my 10-bit life—a journey enriched with laughter and tears, triumphs and setbacks, but above all, a journey filled with love and gratitude.

The first video provides insights on aging gracefully, exploring how to embrace the changes that come with age and celebrating the journey ahead.

The second video takes viewers on a delightful tour of Rochefort Brewery, offering a beer geek's perspective on Trappist beer, highlighting the beauty of craftsmanship in brewing.