It's all about us. We're 40-something and living lives we could never have dreamed about when we grew up. It's exciting and sometimes a bit scary.

We were told we could be anything and were encouraged to follow our dreams. No one back then realized the full impact of the continuous search for happiness and satisfaction. No one imagined that most people would have more than 10 employers before retirement. Many of us are on our second or even third careers, brining new meaning to re-invention. For some, this is a burden; for others, it's a gift.

On our journey to the big 4 – 0, the more things changed, the more they stayed the same. We hoped and prayed for world peace. Maybe we even came close a few times, but global unrest and terrorism still plague us at today. We witnessed extraordinary miracles of science — from heart transplants to in vitro fertilization — but some medical conditions, as well as newfound diseases, continue to baffle us.

We've seen more technological advances than we could possibly remember — from rotary to touch-tone to mobile phones, from seven channels with antennas on every roof to satellite dishes and cable TV with more stations than one can count.

Technology also gave us the ability to stay connected 24/7 but, at the same time, we're now expected to be connected — all day, every day. Try not returning an e-mail at work, updating your Facebook status, or texting back a friend within the acceptable amount of time in your circle. You'll receive more "r u ok?" or "haven't heard back" messages than you have time to answer.

Living a well-balanced life never took this much effort and never was this important. It's hard to carve out the much needed time to take care of ourselves and refresh our minds, bodies, and spirits. But, we know that when we lose this crucial balance, everything has the potential to fall apart.

Even with the demands of today's busy lives, we're getting more involved than ever before and teaching future generations the importance of giving back — whether feeding the hungry at home or halfway around the world, caring for the environment, protecting endangered species, joining the fight against cancer, or supporting many other causes.

Experiencing the recent economic crisis firsthand, we're dealing with money and credit much differently, and we're more concerned about our financial futures, retirement, and even social security than we expected at this stage of our lives. What'll be left for us? All we know now is that nothing is certain any more.

There's so much going on in our lives and so much to learn from one another. Whether you're in your 40s, on your way, or getting ready to join AARP, welcome! The 40 Factor is the place for everything about the big 4 - 0 and beyond.

So . . . get ready to listen — and talk — about all of your concerns and interests. Share your thoughts right here, and let us know what's on your mind.

For more information, contact lisa-michelle@the40factor.com.

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