Sometimes, you might feel unsure if you’re like Caesar about to cross the Rubicon or like Captain Queeg cutting his own tow line. We’ve all heard the phrase “crossing the Rubicon,” but what does it really mean—and why am I talking about it now? It’s a metaphor for taking a step that you can’t undo, committing yourself to a certain path. We’ve all done that at some point—sometimes it led to great things, other times not so much. So, why am I thinking about crossing that line at this particular moment? Well, on my last birthday, I found myself closer to the end of my life than the beginning. When you reach this stage, the Rubicon seems to glow brightly—you realize crossing it is permanent.
The year I was born, the average life expectancy for men was 64.7 years. I’m happy to share that I have already exceeded that, and at my current age, the projected average is now 76.1 years — a milestone I’ve surprisingly surpassed. Knowing this feels like hearing a loud alarm ringing in my ears. While crossing the Rubicon isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it does prompt me to think carefully about what lies ahead.
Are we there yet? 