“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
~Mark Twain
Archives for posts with tag: Life
“Be who you are say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”
– Dr. Seuss
The news has been inundated this week with the death of another famous person. This time, an older one – who wasn’t caught up in the spotlight and party scene. Instead, as far as we know, had a loving family, well established career, and enough fame and fortune to last several lifetimes.
We forget to see the simple lesson of this recent death: that happiness is not a product of fame and fortune. It isn’t even a product of someone else’s love or doing. Happiness is found within your own person.
It is up to you to seek and find your inner peace. Sometimes there may be medical help that is necessary or control of your vices to find it. But it remains a personal journey for you and only you to undertake. It only starts when your ready and it will only be found with your dedication. But failing to accept the challenge will not only affect you but in a ripple affect – those close to you also.
Life is short and precious and only you can choose to live it.
My apologies – sporadic internet and a distracting view …
Everyone has some slumps they go through with relationships, their jobs, and life in general. But it’s important to stop and realize the signs that the world gives to you to make sure you are grateful for where you are and where you have come from.
Last night we made impromptu plans to go to dinner. We randomly decided we would go out for a local all you can eat crab leg dinner. Without much thinking we jumped in the car, went and enjoyed dinner, and even gambled on some roulette and slot machines (no we didn’t win). But it wasn’t until we were leaving and walking to the car when I got my sign. I saw an entry-level worker (in my field) going about his job in the parking lot. His job is one that most people don’t respect, don’t look up to, and usually never want. It was then that I remembered how at one point I would have done just about anything for his job. I would have been more than proud to be at work every day doing exactly what he was doing.
Fourteen years ago I embarked on my lifelong dream career. I was amazed at the opportunity that I found and the job turned out to be everything I loved and more. But after 3 years I wanted even more. I wanted to relocate and try a larger urban area. I figured if it was this good at home, just think of the potential somewhere else. So I up and moved across the country.
I thought I had a plan. I had a job set up, a place to live, and was ready for the adventure to begin. And did it ever! When I got all moved into my new place and ready to start work I was told the offer had fallen through. No job, but I was now committed to a lease and numerous other bills that I had no idea how I was going to pay. Family offered to send money but it wasn’t their problem to fix. Nor did they know the extent of help I really needed. My former employer kept asking me to come back and even offered me a promotion. But I owed it to myself to not return with my tail between my legs.
I played it off as best as possible. I had some (very little) money saved. I applied other places and kept hoping…. and hoping… and hoping. I had reached my end. I had $32 left to my name. The bills were paid for the month, but after that I was done, I was tapped out.
Two days before my birthday I received a call and was offered a job back in my dream career. Like any other job, it has it downfalls and I have my bad days. But after 14 years I have had the chance to lead in my field, teach in field, and advance into areas I never would have imagined. I continue to find more doors opening up to me and am literally addicted to learning new aspects of my profession every day.
I don’t like to say you really “make it” because you should always be seeking improvement. But it’s a good idea to pause every once in a while and turn around to see the ground you have covered. The journey to get there is the best part of the trip – even with its pitfalls.
If you’re lucky you will meet countless people throughout your life in many different settings. Some will be strictly acquaintances that you know from work or through other friends. Some will grow into true friendships, and other may grow into more.
Realistically, it is nearly impossible for all of these relationships to stay strong throughout your life. You will meet them in different setting during different times of your life. Your interests should and probably will evolve and change over time. The person you enjoyed running track with in high school, may or may not be the same person you want to be your best man. As you become more interested in your kids soccer games, your happy hour friends may stay at the bar.
No matter what the reason for the change, you should learn something about yourself in the process and not keep any negative feelings when different people take different paths. Just as you change and grow so will these people you crossed paths with. If you are very lucky, even as you both change, you will be able to hold strong with a handful of these bonds you made over the years. And if you have any control over it, you should certainly work to make that happen. As long as you presented the real you when you met, and they did the same, it should be a mutual respect to see the paths each of you take. There should be no hard feelings but only well-wishes.
I was fortunate enough to grow up with a great group of guys and girls.
Our “group” started to come together when we were 3 years old. More joined as we were in kindergarten. We went through high school and on to college together. We were a part of each others weddings, divorces, children being born, and every other milestone you can think of. Yet during all that we each moved across the country, took different paths, and continue to live very different lives. Yet we never lost touch. We reunited this past weekend (as we often try to do at least once a year) with the largest number of us in years. We brought out parents, and our kids.
Even with life taking different, and not always good, courses for each of us we keep our bond of friendship strong.
Make it a point to keep in touch with those who matter to you. The phone works both ways, the internet makes things incredibly easy. There is no excuse to lose touch unless touch wants to be lost.
Remember those people who you can be true with and remember the good times you shared.
The more obstacles you overcome, the stronger you become. Life doesn’t get easier or more forgiving; you get stronger and more resilient.
– everyday life lessons
You spend the first part of your life working towards the necessities; you strive to graduate high school, then college, then to get a job, a house, maybe a family. But what happens when you meet prerequisites of life and find that you have time to spare? What do you do? Where do you go?
Some people get caught up and find themselves in a “midlife crisis.” Some people feel that college, family, and the norm is not for them and find themselves doing a whole lot of nothing. So how do you choose your next accomplishment?
Use some forward thinking and picture yourself much later in life. It’s a bit morbid but we soon realize that as we get older our knees hurt more, it takes longer to recover, and that beach body gets harder to obtain.
Will you look back with your aches and wish you would have run more? Will you look back and wish you would have tried sky diving? How long will you say “I always wanted to….”
You have one life to fill with as much awesome-ness as you can. If you want it there’s a way. Don’t be your own obstacle. Make it happen.
“You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do.”
– Henry Ford
GrowingUpGuy 