Choose to Take the Journey

Happy Birthday To Me!

Yesterday was my birthday and I am now officially old!

My weekend celebration was the best one of my life, although my friends make fun of me because I seem to say that about every year. It really was an unforgettable weekend stuffed with savory foods, strong drinks, generous friends, and a healthy dollop of novelty. But last night before hitting the sack, I had a hell of a time trying to sleep. I may not be an old man yet, but I definitely am getting older. And I couldn’t shake the realization that no matter what I do, time marches on.

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase: No matter who you are, we all have 24 hours in a day. Well, it’s a good thing we have so many days then. Or do we? For many, the most important day of their lives is marriage. I would also argue that the most important period of our lives involves the 5 years before and after this age. This is when most people date most actively, establish their careers, and form lifestyle habits that may stick with them for the rest of their lives. How long is a decade really? It’s 3,650 days. That’s it. Even if we took 10 years on either side of this critical juncture, that’s only 7,300 days. No matter how you look at it, you have less than 10,000 DAYS to make it happen. That’s assuming you don’t want to start making a name for yourself when you’re 40, or playing ball with your kids when you’re 50.

The sun sets and the sun rises, one after another. Day melts into night into day. One by one, they come and they go. Life does not sit around on a couch and wait for you. I hope you are not sitting around waiting for it. Otherwise, one day you might wake up and realize that you’re sitting on that couch. Alone.