40.

Forty is the most beautiful age for both men and women. Did you know that in mystic thought forty symbolises the ascent from one level to a higher one and a spiritual awakening? When we mourn, we mourn for forty days. When a baby is born it takes forty days to get ready to start life on earth. And when we are in love, we need to wait for forty days to be sure of our feelings.

The flood of Noah lasted forty days, and while the waters destroyed life, they also washed away all impurity and enabled human beings to make a new fresh start. In Islamic mysticism there are forty degrees between man and God. Likewise, there are four basic stages of consciousness and ten degrees in each, making forty in total. Jesus went into the wilderness for forty days and nights. Muhammad was forty years old when he received the call to become a prophet. Buddha meditated under a linden tree for forty days, not to mention the forty rules of Shams.

You receive a new mission at forty, a new lease on life! You have reached the most auspicious number. Congratulations and don’t worry about getting old.


- from the book that I am reading.

I am not forty yet.