Today after a very long time of waiting I've finally reached the age where I have the answer and I'm happy to say that Douglas Adams was correct it really is 42.
So for those of you that are still waiting I'd like to tell you that it really is true and life really is that simple.
At each birthday I like to look back at previous years, think about what I have done, what I have achieved and what I still have on my todo list.
I'd like to think that with every thing I've done has been with the best of intentions and to the best of my abilities. Sadly of course that is not always what happens and not everything succeeds but if we always avoid the hard things in life then we never get anywhere. If you don't fail at somethings then it means that you have not been trying hard enough.
- I've learnt that it is better to have try and fail than to have never tried at all.
- That it is important to acknowledge your limitations and to ask for help and assistance when needed.
- That you can't be right all the time even if you are never wrong.
- Life doesn't get any easier as you get older but the challenges and opportunities get far more interesting
And finally I have learnt that there are small minded people in the world who will never accept the wisdom of others. Rather than battle with these people and attempt to enforce your will or become frustrated at their closed minds it is important to hold true to your beliefs. In time these people will realise the foolishness of their ways and their immaturity and they will come to accept that life is all about opening doors and enabling opportunities. It is not about closing doors, stifling innovation and holding on to the status quo.
I feel fortunate that in the last few years I have met, either in person or online, so many fantastic people full of enthusiasm and dreams and to have had the opportunity to even in some small way share those dreams with you.
I have seen and heard of some great ideas, some have come to fruition and others have failed but life has been so much richer because of them and you.
If I was to try to explain the answer to life in one sentance then it would be "Hold on to your beliefs but not so strongly that you refuse to listen to others".
A man is not old until his regrets take the place of dreams.
John Barrymore, "Good Night, Sweet Prince" 1943
