<p>I learned that of women at age forty or so begin to lose the ability to control their craziness. And it only worsens as time passes. </p>
<p>Is that too obvious?</p>
<p>I love this thread - it makes me want to get going - I’ve been feeling in a rut but everything is so ‘running in place’ day to day that it’s hard to step back and evaluate. When DS15 was 3 or 4 he paused and looked at me quizzically and asked, “Mom what are you going to be . . . when I grow up?” </p>
<p>You guys are great and inspiring.</p>
<p>At age 46, I decided to spend some of the dance budget on myself, and learned to tap. It hasn’t helped my career any, but it’s a heck of a lot of fun!</p>
<p>I bought a business at 46 – a retail store when I’d never worked retail – and spent the summer prior to closing immersed in information about the industry and retail organizations. Eleven years later – we have nearly doubled our sales, I have been quoted in national industry publications (as well as, apparently, USA Today in a special supplement coming out in May) and spoken at the occasional conference.</p>
<p>Went back to grad school and made a career change. Learned that you cannot always equate wealth in terms of $ and cents.</p>
<p>I learned how to defend myself by training in Aikido. I use it every day in ways that have nothing to do with a physical assault.</p>
<p>toblin, gotta ask, are you male or female? could change the context or your comment ! 
ha ha</p>
<p>Most of the things I learned after 40 were things I’d rather not need to know. (Like how to endure the unbearable. . .) </p>
<p>One cool thing I did learn (at 41) was how to surf. Not at all useful where I live now, but it does serve as a happy memory.</p>
<p>I became myself, and despite the inevitable difficulties and lost friendships, improved my life in every important way, including in my relationship with my son. </p>
<p>And I think I’m a better lawyer than I was, too, at least in dealing with other people. Not that that’s why I did what I did; I didn’t get any extra Continuing Legal Education credit for it!</p>
<p>Learned how to work in an OR and recovery room; got into GI nursing as well (cardiology prior).</p>
<p>I’m impressed with a lot of the accomplishments noted here!</p>
<p>Well, soon after I turned 50 I learned how to metabolize air and turn it to fat.</p>
<p>LOL eastcoast! Me too!</p>
<p>Also, career changed to be a college advisor/counselor (in fed program for low income students), did that for 10 years, got back to writing, wrote a couple stories which have been published, wrote a novel that I hope will be.</p>
<p>Took up kayaking.</p>
<p>My H quite doctoring to go to back to school, get an Ed Certification, and he now teaches High School bio. And also kayaks. and writes a fairly widely read education blog.</p>
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<p>The veracity of a statement is not relative to the speakers gender.</p>
<p>I love this thread, so inspiring! I started going back to finish my B.A. Part time At age 42, and am still working on it and enjoying every minute of it. The technology makes it so much easier to learn nowadays. I try to make best use of the resources available to me.</p>
<p>I’ve always thought that part of the fun of life after 40 is the ability to let loose the crazy.</p>
<p>That I while I cannot move mountains, I can climb them.</p>
<p>rockymtnhigh, I like that very much. My [similar] expression has been, “If you can’t do what you want, do what you can.”</p>
<p>I discovered I’d been wrong for decades on the most important question in life. I now know God does exist, and this beautiful universe has a purpose.</p>
<p>Sometimes, I think the better question is: What did I learn BEFORE age 40 that was really useful?</p>
<p>Because it wasn’t until after age 40 I learned the really useful stuff.</p>