When is the Prime of Your Life?

As I am inching towards my mid 40s, I often find myself asking this very question. Have I reached the "Prime of my life?" Will things in my life continue to get better or will it be a slow down hill walk from here on?

I decided to look up the definition of "Prime of Life" and at thefreedictionary.com I found the following; "the time of maturity when power and vigor are greatest." I think that in our world where we worship super star athletes, we develop a warped sense of when one reaches his or her prime. In the picture to the left, Ali is towering over Liston in the year of 1964. Ali is just 22 years old, he is in the prime of his career and looks at Liston and declares as only an American would dare "I Am the Greatest!" Athletes seem to reach their prime when their bodies' power is at its greatest, when they can run the fastest, or throw the ball the farthest with great accuracy and vigor.

And if you gauge the prime of your mere mortal life with the shape that your body is in now, you are sure to find disappointment. But if you are not an athlete, when do you reach the prime of your life. I think you reach it in your thirties and forties. Lately I have been listening to nostalgic Turkish songs from the 70s and I can't help, but think about all of the grown ups who were in my life at the time. My father in his mid to late forties, tall, strong, energetic, go getter, and an uber successful businessman who was the 6th highest tax payer in Turkey. And my mother, a beautiful woman in her early thirties, a great wife, capable house wife, an energetic and fun mother to two rambunctious kids. I looked at some of our old pictures from the time that are filled with my parents' friends who are all equally beautiful, healthy, happy and energetic. Most of the kids in the pictures are between the ages of 7 and 14, unconditionally joyous, full of life, possibilities and hope.

I can't help, but see the parallels in my life. I am now the parent in my kid's pictures. I am energetic, successful, and healthy. My wife, a beautiful and successful woman posing with 2 cute kids who are unconditionally joyous, full of life, possibilities and hope. I feel that I am nearing the prime of my life. Sure I will continue to knock out challenges as I get older, but I don't think that I will ever feel as well and and capable as I do now. I feel like opening the window of my bedroom and scream "I Am the Greatest!" Won't you join me?