So I started talking to people of all ages, from the very young to the very old and everywhere in-between. I didn't just ask them for their opinion, I asked them if they were happy or not with their lives and why. I wanted to hear what it was that made the negative difference between 25 and 45, between 45 and 65, and so on. Slowly, over a long time, a new definition of middle age began to form in my mind. In a word, potential.
Kids see few limits to their potential.
She wants to be an astronaut, or a nurse, or a lawyer, and on and on. She changes her mind every few days or weeks when she discovers something new. It's amusing, but it's exciting to see such enthusiasm and willingness to try something new. In a word, limitations. He's too old, he can't do that any more.