LIfe begins at 40..why? Could you explain this?

I am not sure of the meaning of this quote, but from reading some of the responses, it makes me feel better about reaching 40. I am currently 39 and will hit the bi 40 next year, maybe I will discover the answer to your question then....lol.

Life really does begin at 40, and I should know because in less than 2 years I will be 80! Let me explain- when we are young we can't hardly wait to be 21 (and as we say, All grown up) Then we are young adults, and we believe that by the time we are 40 we will be rich, and have everything we ever wanted or needed. When we reach that magic age of 40, its a terrible shock! We do not have it made, we are not rich, and it seems that our productive life is over. So finally we realize we have to get our act together, we hit the deck running, and work like hell to get ahead, Now we wish we had started at 20 instead or 40. And that's why," LIFE BEGINS AT 40!"

To you right now 40 seems pretty old I'm sure but once you get there..you realize that it isn't old at all. You don't feel old and as long as you take care of yourself, most 40 yr olds really don't look that old. In fact, some look absolutely amazing! I think the biggest thing is that you have reached a point in your life where you just enjoy it. You reach a point where you accept yourself for who you are and you aren't obssessing over looks and love etc. you mellow out a bit and start living your life for YOU. If you have kids, they are usually grown or close to it by that age. I think that saying is referring to those that are in good health. You just mellow and don't worry and stress about all the things you do when you are younger. Its easier to see that you aren't going to be here forever so you should just enjoy the time you have doing what YOU want and with whom you want.

yeah whatever

Because it isd at 40, that people settle down.

Hmm..I think life begins whenever you stop worrying and give up all your troubles!!

It just a quote and for some it has double meaning and it is not necessary for you to believe. Like you said it depends..It may begins once you get born, or when you are 20,30,50~ A saying to keep you move forward and get on with your life~(^^)

Maybe since 40 someone more realize about fact of life, reality life. Also more aware about the declining physical abilities, and think about that will not live forever in this world.

It is just a saying. What I think it means when people say life begins at 40 is that by the time you are 40 years old you are well established in your career and your lifestyle, your kids are older hence you are feeling more freedom than before. Possibly the most freedom you have felt in your life so far. Your kids have become independent, you have money, you can now begin to do what you want and you have the means it takes to really enjoy your life. Before the age of 40, well, when you were a kid you were under the control and guidance of your parents. Then you went to school and had to work hard to pass. Then you had to get a good job, start at the bottom and at the lowest level of pay, work hard for the things you wanted in life, find a partner. Once you did that you began to feel bogged down with everyday living, working hard to pay the bills, taking care of your kids, paying a mortgage etc etc. By the time you hit 40 (or thereabouts) you start to feel relief from the pressures of life in general, you can relax, travel, start living for yourself and doing the things that YOU want to do instead of doing the things that others want you to do. And btw, 40 is not old and it's not boring and your health probably has not started to deteriorate yet. The only flaw that I can see in the saying that life begins at 40 could possibly be that now people are starting their families and careers at a later age and the freedom people felt at 40 back when the phrase was first coined, does not happen until 50 now. Maybe that's where the saying "50 is the new 40" comes from.

Life begins at 40 maybe because by this age you might achieved your dreams, has good career and a happy family. I think even if you get older you can still enjoy your life and make it more meaningful since you have a lots of experienced in the past. Indeed, it's very important to take care of our health while where still young to prevent any harmful or damage to our health in the future.