RachelGreen.Com:

RachelGreen.Com Pty Ltd

Rachel Green, 55 yrs, communication specialist from Perth, Western Australia.

The best thing about being over 40

Freedom from the expectations to follow the factory production line of my twenties and thirties. The factory production line, that is, to gain more and more possessions, qualifications, promotions, status and so on. Now I know I can be as happy with less.

The worst thing about being over 40

The hairs on my chin.

My one regret

Not knowing my father better before he died and not thanking him for his contribution to my life.

What I know now that I wish I'd known at 21

My Myers Briggs Personality Type - it changed my life.

How I'll celebrate my next birthday

I had huge celebrations for my 40th and 50th. My next one is 56 and I don't know yet what I will do but 60 will be big! Each day is a celebration - I am happy to be alive and well.

One thing I've achieved since being 40

Writing my first book and having it published and having people buy it!

My goals for the next 10 years

To meditate every day, exercise every day, to stay happily married, to be happy and to be making the most of my skills for the community's benefit.

How I keep healthy

Regular Feldenkrais lessons, visits to my herbalist, meditation, same time to bed each night, cry when sad, laugh when happy, vegetarian low-fat diet and plenty of fruit, evening walks with my husband, calcium supplements, regular medical checks, positive mindset.

The people who inspire me

A folk singer called Faith Petric who I saw giving a superbly energetic concert in Australia at the age of 82 - and she had flown in from Canada. Also Eric McCrum for his dedication to helping people enjoy Western Australian wildlife and a monk who is the most serene person I have ever met... if only I could be that serene!

Favourite hobby

Meditation.

Favourite TV/Radio programme or magazine

The Chasers War on everything

Favourite Music/CD

Violin Minatures with Takako Nishizaki on violin and Jeno Jando on piano, AND The Rolling Stones "I can't get no satisfaction" and Rod Stewart, and ...!

Favourite Sound

The sound of water dripping into my water tank, birds singing in the garden, the cheer of the crowd as my favourite football teams kicks a winning goal.

My advice to other people in midlife

It may take work and determination but do the work and you'll get the happiness. Sometimes it may be tempting to go after the quick fix - this may not produce the best solution even if it makes you feel better briefly. Many of us are taught to be afraid of our feelings - I have found that when I accept them and make friends with them (instead of fighting them, running away or trying to get rid of them) I can both learn from them and move through them faster. After the oppressive skies comes the rain and after the rain comes the sun and clear skies.

One of my favourite sayings

Out of the darkest night comes the brightest star.

More details on Rachel and her journey to happiness and the problems she overcame can be found in Midlife And Happiness.

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PO Box 344, Kelmscott, WA 6991 Australia
Phone: +61 8 9390 1188 Fax: +61 8 9390 1199

Updated 2-Oct-2008