We need another study. There aren’t quite enough studies in the world these days. Like the most recent study concerning the prevalence of sarcasm in middle-aged white women. Yes… there is always someone studying something.
So…the news out today is this. We have “peak” ages for everything in life.
Here are the findings.
Learning a second language? Your best age to go bi-lingual is seven. Seven. I am well past that mark. Which may explain my fumbling and bumbling around with Espanol. I’m 45 years late.
If learning new names seems to escape you, turn the clock to age 22. That is prime-time for new names. Bob. Jim. Alice. Tim. Debbie. Ten years later, you will be at your highest for remembering new faces. How I wish these two items would coincide…. at age 54. But they do not.
Life satisfaction tops out twice in our lifetimes. First, at age 23 and again at age 69. I was not particularly satisfied with my life at 23. Hopefully, by 69 I’ll still be every bit as satisfied as I am now. Which is plenty.
Your bone density hits it highest point at age 30. If you are like me… if you sit really still… you can hear your bone density shrinking. This is NOT music to my ears.
Your best age for muscle strength is 26 Popeye. And you will be the smoothest in a marathon at 28. Dang. And Dang. I can still hear my bones dwindling.
There is a lot more to this list. But I can assure you, not all is lost to the young. At 51, you are the best at understanding peoples emotions. Your vocabulary peaks at age 71. The big Wow of the study? You are happiest with your body at 74. And at 82, you are in the prime for your psychological well-being.
This timeline of our lives may leave you yearning for years gone by… or longing for moments ahead.
Just remember this.
Studies suck.
Right now is the best. Thousands, and thousands of things go right for us, each and every day. From the first moment we wake up. Our miracles begin… like the fact that we are breathing, and that we can think for ourselves, and speak in full sentences.
By some magic, we open our eyes and we can see all the colors in the spectrum of light. Another marvel, right there. Believe it or not, the Universe is conspiring to help us. We simply have to ask. To be earnest, and honest, and curious and bright.
Bright like a light. Everyday.
May we look at our own timelines with and joy, and gratitude. Because today is the day. To be right where you are.
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I have drunken deep of joy,
And I will taste no other wine tonight.”
― Percy Bysshe Shelley
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“One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar.”
― Helen Keller, The Story of My Life
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