I'm Going to Send This Brilliant Bit of Wisdom
To Every Middle-Aged Friend I Can Think Of

'This week a massive American-British study of some two million souls throughout 80 countries confirms, empirically, that middle age immiserates us all without regard to income, culture, gender, marital status or previous experience. The study offers a new visual to illustrate the overarching mood swing of life: the U-Curve, in which mental stability and happiness bottoms out in our 40s and into our 50s. We then get more cheerful as we round the curve and head into the final stretch. In the U.S., women hit bottom at 40 and men at 50, according to the study.'
--from a powerful & poetic essay published last week on the Wall Street Journal editorial page, by a New York writer I'd never heard of before. But now I'll be watching for that name. The piece goes on to observe that "midlife is a last chance to keep your word with the 10-year-old you once were, who looked forward at life and made a pact with the future." If you're in your late 30s or above, do yourself a favor and read it closely. I predict it will provide you with much upon which to reflect.