I assure you, I can find things to complain about, my back hurts, it is too hot, or cold, prices are too high, but all in all, life is good.
Some of it is happenstance, being born where I was, when I was. But much of it is choices that I have made over the years. Taking a leap out of my comfort zone to take a job with a home building company in Orlando back in 1980. A year or two later driving by a Community College and thinking if I want to do better than I am today, I need to learn more, and turning in and asking how to get started. A few years after that making the move to Rollins to finish what I had started, and convincing myself that I could do it, if I really worked at it. And I did.
Joining a gym, running the first race, deciding that happiness mattered more than conforming to others expectations. Selling in Orlando and moving back north, going to law school. I remember when I started lamenting that I would be 40 when I finished law school, and my sweet bear simply saying, "do you want to be 40 with the degree, or without the degree?" And continuing to learn, reading a lot (I have finished 51 books already this year.)
Putting money away for retirement, steadily over 45 years. Buying a home, working to get it paid off. Avoiding consumer debt. Really learning to cook, not just the basics, but pretty much whatever I want. I can make.
The big bold move to come to DC. Living in a place that I wanted to live in, doing a job that I loved, even if I did work too much.
Finding ways to travel and experience north America and Europe over the years. Travel was not always easy, but in the end always worth it.
In the end, we are in a place we enjoy, living a life that is engaged and enjoyable. With luck we have a few good years left to go.
What a life. I hope you have MANY good years left.
ReplyDeleteI am not putting off until tomorrow, joys I can have today.
DeleteMaybe Steve will have an opinion, but once you retire, you do start to think about how long you will live.
ReplyDeleteIn many ways, how long do I have to do everything I would like to do, how much money can I spend and not run out, will I live to see my nephews finish high school?
DeleteSince no one knows how much time they have left--we were are deeply reminded of that fact last Friday--it's best to live life as you can ... be fun and funny, laugh and love, listen and learn ... keep moving!
ReplyDeleteGreat way to put it.
DeleteAmidst the backaches, the too hot/too cold weather, escalating prices. you do see and appreciate the life you have built. None of us know how much time we have left so appreciate and embrace life and just do it!
ReplyDeleteI made a few mistakes along the way, but more good choices than bad ones.
DeleteYou've done a fine job creating a life you enjoy.
ReplyDeleteAll in all, it is a good life.
DeleteI didn't realize you lived in Orlando -- I'm from Tampa. We'll have to compare notes on Florida someday!
ReplyDeletePalmetto bugs, fire ants, hurricanes, no rocks, what is not to love. I spent 15 years plowing under frozen out orange groves and building houses for innocent northerners. Only a few rattle snakes and alligators along the way. My family started spending winters in Florida when I was in the 8th grade and bought a house in Titusville in 1976.
DeleteYou sound so positive and I think that's important.
ReplyDeleteI try to find the good in the world.
DeleteCongratulation on the books you read.
ReplyDeleteThe more I read, the more I seem to want to read.
Delete