Crisis?! I don't think so.

I read an article this morning that was perturbing to say the least.  It was about women and their mid-life crisis.  The article stated that women are experiencing their mid-life crisis between the ages of 35-44.  First of all, for women 35 is not mid life.  Secondly, you would have thought this article was written by a man.  It was completely ignorant and demeaning to women.

We all know what a man does when he enters his mid-life crisis.  He buys a fast red car.  He finds a somewhat hot female to replace his wife.  He forgets about his children until they are out of college, and much to his surprise by that time they don't care if he exists anymore.  Whoa, whoa...wait!  This stereotype is also ignorant and demeaning to men.  Yes, they may get a little sour at the prospect of turning fifty and what lies ahead for them.  Do you blame them?  Their wife is going through menopause, the children are actually going to start using those wings they were given and retirement is in the near future which is interpreted to boredom by most men.  The truth is that all men go through their ups and downs as women do.  Maybe we should start being more sensitive to that.  Then maybe they can go through this crisis with us when we are 35!

Yes, the 30's have entered my life and in no way do I feel a crisis around the corner.  My life may be simpler than others but I still have rendered meaning and perspective.  The article I read summoned women to having a crisis for trying to find meaning, taking a sabbatical, feeling restless and worthlessness, boredom and that time is running out. Why should we be punished for these feelings?  Everyone tackles at least one of these feelings at one time or another.  They foster growth.  And if the blinders are on it can lead to depression or loneliness.  Women need accept these feelings and by nature we should share them.  I wish that for everyone, both men and women, we could start telling the truth, not half-truths.  We should not be labeled with having a crisis for trying to discover ourselves.  The discovery and journey through this life only happens once.  Treat it as a gift.  Let it grow.  Feel love wherever it exists.