Milestones Age 49-50, Part 4
Touching your Legacy.
I remember my late teacher (bless him for his frankness) stating to our class every time that we cannot really understand an age until we have lived through it. In the same breath he insinuated that I would not fully understand age 28/29 (see part 1 – Milestone Ages) until I had reached this age. I was only 25 at the time. Of course, we can only know what it feels like and what presents when we experience it first-hand. Regardless, I was eager to learn and understand, because I believed that knowledge is a tool to get through challenges with more ease and making the most of what presents. I believed that we could learn a lot from others’ experiences and understand it with our minds before it becomes practice. Since then this approach has prevented much pain and provided a roadmap to put us into a better position. And of course, age is generally on our side when it comes to acquiring wisdom.
Age 49/50, in most native American Indian customs is the age when a person may become an elder or medicine person. Of course there are reasons for this differentiation. It became apparent that the individual’s age and experience allowed them to understand deeper truths intrinsic to culture and intergenerational insight. Also the ability to protect, teach and convey wisdom of a spiritual nature emerged in many tribe members around this age.
This did not mean every person automatically reached this status. It was acclaimed by virtue of knowledge, earned respect and the ability to understand spirit and be a safe keeper of these principles beyond the 3D reality.
Extract from Chief Tecumseh poem:
“So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart * Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view and demand that they respect yours * Love your life, …seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people * Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide…”
Clearly we don’t wake up on our 49th birthday and tap into all this at once. It’s a process. Life knows how to knock us around, so we can finally listen to the wisdom within ourselves. Why? Because many external expectations, hopes and dreams have been reshaped, attained, or possibly been disappointed and we may feel much more realistic and by then… Our scars tell the story.
It is characteristic of this age to die a symbolic death in form of living through a phase that makes us aware of our physical or emotional vulnerability. We are facing our own mortality and the ability to heal by applying our internal wisdom accumulated during our life to date.
To overcome this often painful time where we face an ending of sorts, we are called to draw on our inner strength! Often we rise to the occasion in ways we always knew we had within us, but for the first time we delve deeper, unlock and express our potential in new ways. This transforms the relationship with ourselves, we become more accepting of our circumstances and develop more inner resolve and confidence than before. Trust in ourselves becomes a foundation and our newfound solidity becomes the cornerstone to overcome even persistent pattern that haunted us for so long. We may not overcome it quite in the way we had always hoped, namely, to discard and rid ourselves from our persistent wound and vulnerability once and for all. Instead, we accept what we saw as an Achilles heel or flaw – integrate it and allow it to be a part of us for the first time. As a result, we are at peace with ourselves in ways we never thought possible.
What does this look like in reality? What situations may occur for this inner healing ritual to take place? What could set off this strong response that let’s us activate such a quantum shift in our lives? Of course, it shows up differently for each individual person depending on circumstances, but the experiences and emotions are often similar. Our In Focus consultation with you individually during this time aims to outline a roadmap to navigate through this experience. Solfile was built to assist with delving deeper into the individual view as well. Solfile® App is a knowledge tool which helps to identify and empower you to resound your instincts during these times with clarity and reassurance. It is our intent to offer what you most need to know, to make the most of each opportunity, especially during more confusing times like the Milestone Ages.
Here are some scenarios that may occur during the 49/50 Milestone time. The key experience is that the world around us may shift considerably, and it may result in some break down of relationships and possibilities that life will ask us to release. This time our inner mechanism will be asked to deal with deep adjustments. Often we initially feel that it is a tragedy and we are placed in a position whereby we need to deal with the situation by ourselves to some extent. We may be reminded during this time what it may be like to die, and it can certainly feel like the life we once knew or hoped for has irrefutably changed and with it our key expectations.
Bizarrely, we feel calmer than we ever thought we would be, in light of what is occurring. We may even feel a sense of peace as we are finding the tools within ourselves to handle the situation beyond our expectations.
1) Some of us may experience this through a trigger such as losing parents and suddenly having to step up as the “Elder“ of the family or group. We may feel like an orphan and our realization of time until our own death may occupy our minds. With this arises a new appreciation for time that is left in our lives and we review how we have spent it so far. This shapes and changes our choices and priorities going forward.
2) We may be seeking or receive an opportunity in our careers, families, work or projects. The option arises to step up to a position of leading or mentoring others and passing on our knowledge and expertise. The desire to leave a legacy and sharing our expertise or teaching what we know bears new levels of fulfilment. Seeing others grow and thrive may have a profound effect on our lives.
3) Restrictions and inner insecurities that we found stifling in the past may be seen in a new light. Maybe we have been suffering in areas where we did not feel heard. Walls between our ability to express ourselves and the outside world can now dissolve effortlessly because we have reached a new perspective. This is often the result of a new situation into which we are placed.
4) We may develop interest and get to discover or research ancestral roots or family history with a newfound curiosity. Some of us instinctively know that healing and understanding about a particular unresolved wound within ourselves can be found in our past at this time. Finding a missing piece of information or discovering a family secret may have a profound effect on our sense of identity and our ability to follow our passion and calling from thereon.
5) A health challenge or experience of physical ailment and repressed issue may present itself to us at this time. This reminds us of our own mortality and graceful ageing process and can initially be confronting. Facing the condition courageously helps dissolve any inauthentic behaviour and makes room for passionate expression from our hearts and true selves. This may result in a surge of creativity and some may be inspired to write their story, music, express with art or build something lasting.
6) For those who have felt very stuck with responsibility, this may be a time of freeing up and getting to ‘play’ and enjoy more pleasantries again.
Milestone ages are Rites of Passage times. If you have repressed, denied and built up considerable emotional trauma inside without the chance to work on it thus far, you may find that a crisis or ailment can arise to help venting and removing it. If you have been able to do considerable work on clearing resentments, anger and regrets and reached forgiveness and gratitude, you may experience more maturity, patience and inner peace at this time. You may find an increased capacity to have empathy and compassion and a desire to give back to humanity or look at your contribution to the greater context.
Leonard Cohen: “There is a crack in Everything – that’s how the Light gets in.”
Qéro Indians: “Looking behind I am filled with gratitude. Looking forward I am filled with Vision. Looking upwards I am filled with strength. Looking within I discover peace.”
Our team at People Planet Guide has been created to walk alongside you during these times. Contact me for an In Focus session and download Solfile App from our webpage or click on this link: Solfile App to learn information about your personal journey right away.
About Sylvia Flimm
Sylvia is the Co-Founder of People Planet Guide; creators behind www.solfile.com.au.
Sylvia has shared her wide area of qualifications and practical expertise as financial executive, health practitioner and counsellor on her dual career path for nearly 30 years. It is her passion to provide tools for increased self-understanding as a key to authenticity and happiness. She works with individuals and teams in the workplace to foster positive interaction and authentic expression which has been her lifelong quest.
Her personal and client experiences combined with extensive work in the operation of Health Retreats and other businesses are well regarded locally and internationally. Sylvia offers unique In Focus consultations, connecting our wellbeing with mental and physical health to lead a successful and fulfilling life. She writes with the intent to help find our unique potential within and discover our special connection to our soul purpose which ultimately leads to a joyful life.
