Below is a poem I wrote the morning of my 40th birthday (Jan 27th, 2025).
Here is a musical piece by my great friend, Eric Turnnessen, to accompany the poem while you read:
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Turning 40 feels different…
It feels like a new summit. A mountain top with a special view.
I look back at the journey to get here and become overwhelmed with emotion. So many people, so many places, so many projects, plans and pursuits.
The path behind me was filled with curiosity, passion, confusion, pain, joy and adventure. There are stories within stories on how I got here.
The trails I’ve hiked.
The lakes I’ve jumped into.
The storms I’ve weathered.
The stars I’ve watched.
The valleys and mountains I’ve passed.
I have awareness that my core has matured.
My roots are grounded. My branches are strong and ready. My role in the forest is shifting to offer shade, seeds and nourishment for others.
The path forward will test me in new ways.
It will need less of my mind.
It will want more of my heart.
It will require more of my soul.
It feels like a new river with deeper currents of surrender. The beginning of something scary and exciting. The opportunity to flow with more courage and conviction.
I have awareness that my fullest expression is being called.
The artist who follows his energy.
The explorer who plans to experience the world, both inside and out.
The seeker who wants to understand why.
I am a boy who wanders, learns and creates with others. I know how to play, what to build and when to rest.
I am a man who honors real integrity. I know how to love, what to provide and when to flow.
I am a leader who is willing to go first. I know how to guide, what to navigate and when to pause.
My greatest lessons are the moments of deeper presence.
It feels like the vast cosmos of perfection. The beautiful balance of chaos and order.
I have awareness that I’m exactly where I need to be.
I am the sum of all the experiences I’ve dreamed and realized. Each moment integrated into who I am today. Each moment made for me.
There is nowhere else to go but here.
There is nothing else to do but be.
There is only this.
40 years is nothing and everything.
Ali Jafarian
Ali is a family man, conscious leader and serial entrepreneur with a deep drive to create. He writes, designs and builds things to inspire the real human experience.
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