Seven years itch

Every seven years I believe we all undergo great emotional, physical and mental changes, which encourages us to sweep away the clutter of the past and move onward and upward.

The seven-year cycle theory has meaning for every expat at every stage of their life.

I celebrated my 42nd birthday recently and I can feel the next seven-year cycle grab hold. According to the experts, the 42-49 year period involves digesting all my life experiences, developing new ideals and setting a new direction.

My desire to make my mark in life becomes more important so maybe that's why I have a burning desire to become a world-class whistling champion.

The seven-year cycle was the premise of a marvelous English-made documentary series, which followed the lives of 14 people every seven years.

The 7 Up series began in 1964 and an update is scheduled for 2011. The changes in the subjects were very pronounced.

Our first seven years are very important. Whatever we are told, we believe. Right or wrong, this information can linger for life. The Jesuit priests from the Catholic Church had a motto: "Show me the boy at 7 years old and I will show you the man."

From 7 to 14, we become very acquainted with our three best friends: "Me, myself and I." Imagination runs wild and we develop a better definition of self.

From 14 to 21 those puberty blues kick in and we run toward the springboard to independence. "You're not the boss of me I know," we say. Music becomes important as our senses come alive and hormones run riot. We really need focus.

From 21-28, "me, myself and I" become stronger influences as we seek careers and life experiences. We grab backpacks and roam the world looking for excitement, new friends and adventure. Girlfriends, boyfriends and "true" love come and go.

Turning 28 is a big occasion, and it is a time to really "grow up" and fit in with the rest of the world. It was a rocky time for me. I was a serious partyboy and every week blew my paycheck on wine, women and song. As I saw my friends marry, buy houses, have children and settle down, it suddenly dawned on me to step up.

After making a few lifestyle adjustments, I developed a wonderful focus and could see opportunities like never before. Money started to flow and life became easier. I was very creative but I did become more judgemental.

My last cycle (35-42) was a time of getting things done and my bank account soared. But life became too routine and boring. Political systems, religions and philosophies became tired and stale and at age 39 I packed my bags and moved to China.

The 49-56 year period is when we do a stock take reviewing our life purpose. Experts say depression and moodiness will haunt us if we haven't worked ourselves out.

The 56-63 is my favorite. Inner tranquility and acceptance becomes the norm and the next seven years even gets better. We have deeper acceptance and understanding of the people in our life.

Our cycles are just natural progressions and I believe the older I become, the more insightful and happier I get. Attitudes, relationships, and careers evolve and improve.

Today, I'm also realizing that people are more important than ever. I don't want to waste my time in the company of angry types and I can better identify such people. In my younger years I was blind to such goings on because I was mostly angry.

I believed conflict was king and needed to be always excited. I thought it was fun but I confused excitement with happiness. Happiness. That's the main point of life, isn't it?

In my late 20s, my question was: "World, what can you give me?" Now I'm beginning to ask: "World, what can I give you?"

My Chinese friends say traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) also believes in seven-year cycles, but these were for women. Under TCM guidelines, men operate under an eight-year cycle. Close enough, I reckon.

Star Trek fans also know about seven-year cycles. Mr Spock and his pointy eared, emotionless Vulcan friends begin their mating ritual to let off that pent up emotion.

Those Star Trek folks are a bit like us expats, no matter what seven-year cycle of life we are experiencing. They always live in alien environments and struggle with different cultures. Oh how I wish I had their high-tech tools so I could instantly transport myself out of Middle Kingdom confusion