Dear Friend,

The Big 4-0. Me? Really? Some days I wonder how that happened, and why I don’t feel as old as I thought I would at 40. I don’t feel much different than I did at 25 – perhaps I just have a youthful spirit. A year ago, I felt intimidated by 40. There were some things that didn’t go as planned in my life (Hint: Read my book Where Will You Go from Here?”) and I needed to fix them (code: get married again, have kids before 40). But something happened a few months before my birthday. I was making my bed and praying out loud – yes, I do that when I’m by myself – and I had an epiphany: There’s nothing to fix. Life is good.

I trust my journey is unfolding exactly as it should. I am happy and at peace. What more could I ask for? I’m grateful. So, as I enter my forties, I’m looking forward to some things. I share them as a challenge to you to look to the future with optimism and anticipation. Wherever you are in life, celebrate. Have something to look forward to. Here’s what I’m looking forward to:

1. Traveling to the places I’ve always said I’d go “someday.”

Something about turning 40 has finally made me say, “Valorie, ‘Someday'” is here. Get yourself to Italy! Australia! Africa! All those places you said you’d go someday? It’s time.”

2. Being delightfully surprised.

Psalm 37:4 is one of my favorite scriptures: “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” The thing is, God doesn’t tell you when or how He’s going to give you those desires. So, I’m expecting my desires to come to fruition, but who knows what it will look like? A family? My own television show? A New York Times bestseller? Running a half marathon? I’m prepared and open to the all the possibilities.

3. Looking and feeling fabulous.

Not sure who said you are supposed to look over the hill at 40. GenX and Baby Boomers have changed all that. Have you seen Halle? J-Lo? My goodness, they make you want to turn 40! So, I’m staying fit and looking my best by taking care of me. This is the only body I’ve got. I want to show my gratitude for it by treating it as the temple it is. Getting older helps me appreciate moisturizer, drinking water, and workouts more than ever.

4. Living with passion.

Each decade, I look back and I consider it a success if I have no regrets. While there are inevitably mistakes, painful setbacks, and frustrating circumstances that occur in every decade of life, I don’t regret any of mine. I’ve done my work to glean every lesson, every bit of wisdom, and carry it with me into the next season of life. And I’m declaring this next season will be my best yet!

My challenge to you:

Look to your future with optimism and anticipation.

Journaling assignment: What are you looking forward to in the next decade of your life? What have you been putting off to someday? When is someday? Be specific.

Until next time,

Valorie Burton is an author of eight books, including her latest, Your 5 Minute Personal Coach. She is founder of the Coaching and Positive Psychology (CaPP) Institute. Subscribe to her free e-newsletter at www.valorieburton.com.