On my 35^th birthday, a couple of months ago, I woke up determined that my day would be special and meaningful.  I don’t usually invest much thought or time on special celebrations, especially my birthday, but today I felt differently.

 As I walked out of my apartment, on my way to work, I ran into my friendly neighbour L. at the elevator.  When I asked her about her March break, she paused momentarily, and in an emphatic tone tinged with dismay, she mentioned that she had celebrated her 30^th (I’m getting so old!!) birthday. “You’re still so young,” I chuckled.

 Then, when I got to work, my colleague S. came out to assist me.  I told her it was my 35^th (I’m getting old!!) birthday.  She rolled her eyes at me, “Oh, come on, you’re still young!”

 I smiled and agreed.  I told her I felt that this year was going to be a special one with lots of positive change. “Really?  That’s how I felt about my 49^th birthday,” she replied, “and it did end up being a meaningful year.  And that’s 7 x 7!”

 I remembered vaguely something about seven-year cycles.  Was it related to business cycles, or maybe something about body chemistry?  It doesn’t matter.  I like to think that turning 35 has a special significance.  That’s 5 x 7.  And when I look back upon my life, it does fit neatly into periods of 7, with a little bit of overlap.

 First seven years – 0-7

Living in my own imaginary world most of the time.  Not too many worries, no goals.  Just going with the flow, being well taken care of and letting life happen.

 Second seven years – 7-14

Freedom!  Living an exhilarating life in Guinea.  Roaming the village streets, climbing trees, spending lazy days on rooftops, taking care of my many cats and dogs, catching crabs and observing grasshoppers, bobbing up and down in the ocean waves, wading knee-deep in slippery slimy poto poto (a clay-based mud), diving into the white waters of a gushing torrent, swimming with vigour, exploring the bush, dancing with abandon, writing stories, and letting my imagination run wild with my friends’ tales of witch doctors and ‘le trou du diable’.  And let’s not forget summer adventures traipsing across Europe or sweltering in the Moroccan heat.

 Third seven years – 14-21

The pressure to conform. Assimilating knowledge and other people’s values and beliefs through academic learning. Contentedly and unquestioningly obeying rules at a strictly regimented boarding school.   Continuing the assimilation process into the university years, but with a shift in ideals.  Routines, schedules, and textbooks.

 Fourth seven years – 21-28

Fun and frolics!  Physical strength and fitness.  Socializing, dating galore, experiencing different relationships.  Developing a passion for partner dancing, from rancheras and boleros during my years in Mexico to ballroom and then salsa (addictive!) when I returned to Canada.

Fifth seven years – 28-35

Declining muscle strength.  Gradually losing the ability to run, dance, climb stairs or get up from a chair.  Experiencing heartbreak, low self-esteem and physical fear.  Being introduced to different forms of alternative healing. Opening up to new philosophies.  Becoming spiritual.  Worrying less and having faith that everything is going to be all right.

 And everything is all right and it just keeps getting better. I live comfortably, am loved and am happy.  It would be really nice if my muscles would heal and strengthen in this next cycle.  So many books and healers tell me it’s possible and I believe it.  I just have to double my efforts in convincing my body it can heal.  I am so looking forward to the day when I can go to a park alone and plop myself on the grass without worrying about how I’ll get up, when I can sprint up a flight of stairs to arrive at an appointment promptly, when I can bend down and pick up my fallen keys, when I can sign up for a course without having to convince somebody to come with me, or when I can use any washroom facility at ease.