RE: Power of Positivity + On The Plus Side #12! - The Positives of a "Mid-life Crisis"
Man, you absolutely killed it in this post!
I agree that the label "mid-life crisis" is a misnomer. As you allude to, I think it' simply the point where one realizes that they are not content with what is and long for what could be.
We strive for success in our 20's, many of us achieve it in our 30's, and we enjoy that run into our 40's. And then we find that we become bored with that success, with those rewards, and our heart yearns for 'more.'
I've often said it is the wanting that brings the most pleasure, not the having. It's the thrill of the kill; the chase, that inspires and fulfills us. How can one be fulfilled long-term by having what we already do?
Especially for men, we crave the conquest. And when we've conquered, we look beyond for what else might be had...
- And when Alexander saw the breadth of his domain he wept, for there were no more worlds to conquer. - Plutarch
You're quite right that people need goals in order to feel excited with life. If you have nothing to work towards then what keeps you going?
It might also be a distraction thing, having goals might just give us enough distraction to ignore what truly makes us happy? I've never really thought of that before.
That quote from Plutarch is fantastic. I don't know why I've never come across that before. It fits the topic perfectly.
Thanks, @mazzle. You are so right - having goals might just give us enough distraction to ignore what truly makes us happy...