Turned 40 yesterday. Was I happy it was my birthday? I don’t think many are, once they are out of their teens. But who am I to say that?
Given my genetic background I’m through with less than half my life, but it seems so much longer. And the last so many years seemed compacted into a space much less than one childhood summer.
It was a vague uneasiness, and a silence that screamed in such a cliched manner. It supposed to be a milestone, a major point in a person’s life. You change from young to middle-aged, you move from one age-demographic to another, you’re supposed to start winding down and enjoying the fruits of your youthful labors……these are the trite words that keep staring at me when I close my eyes. And when I open them, it’s a blank stare.
40 down, 50(?) to go….
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
About hbhatnagar
I need to fill this up with much better content than I had populated it with earlier. Why I write a blog maybe? I started blogging in 2009 or thereabouts. I was a newly turned atheist and wanted to converse with others of the same persuasion. We're not exactly a big population group in India! It didn't go very well and I sort of lost interest, posting a few things now and then.
I got a lot more regular over the last few months and have been posting almost daily since February '15. There were many reasons why I gradually became more regular in posting, but one way or the other, here I am! So this blog has taken shape, being at different points in time my showcase, my comedy club, my art gallery, my book club, my therapist, my close friend, my innermost self....but always my little corner of the world. You are all welcome to visit and I hope you stay awhile!
A few points about me because I don't want to lead anyone on(and trust me this does become an issue more often than I'd care to admit).
I'm Indian, the brown-skinned variety; if race, ethnicity or skin colour is an issue, you don't have to get to know me any more than what you see on my blog.
I'm 40, so if age is an issue, please be informed accordingly.
I was a doctor, an ophthalmic surgeon for 10 years before I quit practice.
I seem to have missed this one. It must have been because I was so involved with the Trump Campaign!! I think I am his only WordPress Follower. Anyway, enough of that
So you are now 40 years old. Almost grown up? Look, at 20 years ahead of you I can say that it son starts to go really fast but in some way its better. Calmer – more focus and less aggro
Stop the angst and get out there and have some fun.
I hope you had a lovely birthday in the middle of the Festival of Lights. That’s a sign….
What are your plans for the next 20 years then?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by Jackie | 18/11/2016, 4:27 PMThank you for the wishes and I know a lot got buried in the Trump-quake. 🙂
I don’t now about the next 20 (though it’s nice to talk to someone beyond my stage in life), I’ll just see how the next one goes! 🙂
LikeLike
Posted by hbhatnagar | 19/11/2016, 9:33 AMI always think things do get better and never look back. At each stage of your life you want or are interested in new things. Embrace them all. Each time I thought I was at 2 the best time” and then lo and behold things seem to get better. Of course they don’t really, your tastes just change. Its a great time to be young. You are just about to kick the Baby Boomers into touch and take over the world. Hang on tight.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by Jackie | 19/11/2016, 4:33 PMThank you for the lovely words Jackie! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by hbhatnagar | 19/11/2016, 6:14 PMHappy birthday! Ah 40 .. I sure wouldn’t mind being that age again ..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by Julie@frogpondfarm | 25/10/2016, 12:22 PMThank you Julie! I sure wouldn’t mind rolling the clock back ten years either! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by hbhatnagar | 26/10/2016, 7:51 AMHappy Belated Birthday. Birthdays are just like any other days and everyday is a milestone to celebrate and move on. Best wishes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by Indira | 24/10/2016, 10:36 AMThank you for the wishes Indira! ☺️
It moved on like any other day, true!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by hbhatnagar | 24/10/2016, 11:36 AMHaha! A day to just be and concentrate on the self and may be introspect. Happy birthday to you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by g3 | 23/10/2016, 2:25 PMSo, Like every other day? 😉
Thanks for the wishes! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by hbhatnagar | 23/10/2016, 5:39 PM😊😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by g3 | 23/10/2016, 6:42 PMBelated happy birthday H!
Despite all your feelings on this day, there is one thing that trumps everything else, cake!!! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by story teller | 23/10/2016, 2:14 PMThank you! Cake does help, true! 🙂
LikeLike
Posted by hbhatnagar | 23/10/2016, 2:20 PMHappy Birthday, Dr Hb!! 🎂
Life is short, enjoy whatever the stage we are. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by Amy | 22/10/2016, 8:33 PMThank you Amy! I’m trying..:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by hbhatnagar | 23/10/2016, 10:00 AM🎉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by Amy | 23/10/2016, 6:53 PMHappy birthday Doc! Wishing you many more happy and healthy years to come 🎉🎈.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by The Anxiety Chronicles | 22/10/2016, 5:37 PMThank you for the wishes Jen! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by hbhatnagar | 22/10/2016, 6:40 PMHappy birthday! 40 sucks and is so over rated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by Victo Dolore | 22/10/2016, 4:25 PMIt do that, it do that big! Thank you Victo! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by hbhatnagar | 22/10/2016, 6:39 PMOh, Himanshu. 40? You are still a youngster! Happy birthday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by Mick Canning | 22/10/2016, 3:22 PMMy mind is ancient though! 😀
Thanks Mick!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by hbhatnagar | 22/10/2016, 6:38 PMHope you had a good day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by Mick Canning | 22/10/2016, 6:40 PMIt’s a blessing sometimes, that days go faster as we grow older! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by hbhatnagar | 22/10/2016, 6:41 PMTell me about it. I keep confusing them with hours, now!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by Mick Canning | 22/10/2016, 6:43 PM😀
LikeLike
Posted by hbhatnagar | 22/10/2016, 6:54 PMA great post. And wish you a very Happy birthday 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by Kavita Chavda | 22/10/2016, 2:20 PMThank you for the wishes Kavita! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by hbhatnagar | 22/10/2016, 6:38 PMWelcome 🙂
Stay blessed 🙂
LikeLike
Posted by Kavita Chavda | 22/10/2016, 6:58 PMBelated happy birthday 😇🎂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by Breezing whims | 22/10/2016, 1:40 PMThank you! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by hbhatnagar | 22/10/2016, 6:39 PMHappy Birthday, H. The plus side to turning 40 is that you can do WHATEVER you want. One morning, you’re going to wake up, rip off your pyjama top and notice the Superman costume under it. You’re also a fire dragon so you normally feel invincible anyway, but don’t hold back, and make sure to dress up before kicking butt. I’m a woman and vain, so I ban people from even looking at me on my birthday. However, some people get around that by leaving me gifts without cards (so I won’t know who to yell at). I hope you got some good gifts and may the best one be a truly rewarding year. Have a great year 40.0.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by Sabiscuit | 22/10/2016, 12:08 PMSuperman costume, or maybe rocketship underpants? Thanks Sabiscuit, and I can see people scurrying by you, the heads bowed in deference. I gifted myself a nice bottle of hooch, the year lies ahead…..Thanks for the wishes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by hbhatnagar | 22/10/2016, 6:23 PMHooch. Whenever you say “hooch” it has a very classy ring to it. Rocketship underpants are just as effective for doing battle. Drink up!! xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by Sabiscuit | 22/10/2016, 6:27 PMCheers! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by hbhatnagar | 22/10/2016, 6:40 PMHappy birthday.
It’s just a number.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by crow | 22/10/2016, 11:24 AMThank you crow. Can I have another number of my choosing though? 😉 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by hbhatnagar | 22/10/2016, 6:18 PMIf it were up to me…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by crow | 22/10/2016, 8:00 PMHappy Birthday Dr H! And hurrah for a fellow ’76 dragon 🙂
Middle age- whatever I say. You only ever have now, and that is a certainty in each age we arrive at. Time does seem to have quickened though…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Posted by 10000hoursleft | 22/10/2016, 11:19 AMThank you 1! And a flap of my leathery wings in acknowledgement of a fellow dragon! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by hbhatnagar | 22/10/2016, 6:17 PMBetter than fiery dragon breath! You’re welcome. Hope you’re well 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by 10000hoursleft | 23/10/2016, 1:37 PMA little better, hopefully. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Posted by hbhatnagar | 23/10/2016, 2:19 PMImagine how surprised I am, having passed that milestone some nineteen years ago, that my outlook on life has not really changed so much….It has merely “set” in its ways a bit ! Happy Birthday, H ! ; )
LikeLiked by 2 people
Posted by williamleeone | 22/10/2016, 10:55 AM😀
Thank you for the wishes, William!
LikeLike
Posted by hbhatnagar | 22/10/2016, 6:14 PM