Middle Gauge Is Middle Age

Audio By Carbonatix

There are several gauges in your car where it’s perfectly fine to have the needle rest right in the middle. Your gas gauge is one of them, as is the gauge that registers whether your engine is too hot or too cold. On this gauge, there is basically an H on one end and a C on the other. The idea is that your needle should fall right in the middle when your car is at operating temperature. I’m not a car mechanic by any means, but I believe if it swings too far toward the H, your engine may be on the verge of overheating, and if it’s too far to the C, it may have some other issues. I can’t tell you what to do in either of those cases, except call the mechanic. With the gas gauge, it’s only when the needle swings too far toward empty that you need to worry and hurry to the nearest gas station.

When you reach the age of somewhere between 40 to 60 years of age, you may find you are considered to be middle age. In this stage, you still have issues that you’re dealing with from your children, but on the other side of the gauge, you’re probably starting to also deal with challenges from your elderly parents. There are days when the needle leans heavily toward the kids, while other days, it’s pointed more toward the parents. For those of you in this stage of life, I know it’s challenging. That’s why I’d like to share a few tips that I’ve learned along the way.

The first thing is to make sure you are hanging around and talking with other people who are dealing with some of the same significant issues. I believe when we are able to talk through situations with other people who are dealing with something similar, it keeps us from feeling so lonely. In talking with other people, you may get some suggestions of things that they’ve tried that will help get you through your circumstances.

The second thing is to understand that this is simply another stage of life. It’s not something that is going to last forever. Depending on your individual circumstances, you could be in this state of flux for a while. If you live near your elderly parents and carry the brunt of the burden for their care, try to find the blessing in being able to spend that time with them. If you have siblings that live out of town, they probably wish they could be closer to experience the precious moments you do. It may not be until your parents pass that you will truly appreciate the privilege of caring for them. The same is true for your children. Even though things might get tough, you’ll blink an eye and they’ll be off on their own and might not have as much time to see you.

In order to get your needle to rest more often in the middle, get support from your friends and look for the silver lining that’s hiding somewhere beneath this cloud of middle age.