I know it’s been a while since my last post but things have been crazy busy around here. Between work, life and vacation, things have been topsy turvy. No worries, I’m back and will be stateside for the foreseeable future and somewhat stationary (at least until Memorial Day weekend). In the mean time and in between time, I’m going to deliver.
Yesterday was my birthday and the reason why I was unable to post this yesterday was because my girlfriend and I celebrated in the Cayman Islands and she wouldn’t let me use my phone or internet while there. I’m sort of a workaholic and last few days was actually the first time I can think of where I haven’t used my phone on vacation. But I’m not mad at her. The trip was a much need departure from the daily grind. We came, we saw, we relaxed and enjoyed ourselves immensely.
Birthdays have always been a big deal to me. For one thing, there’s nothing in the “good book” that guarantees life to a certain age and as such every year, every month, every day should be cherished, preserved and celebrated.
So yesterday I turned 27 and it got me to thinking. It got me thinking about things past, present and future. When I turned 25 many of my friends experienced this dreaded “Quarter Century Life Crisis.” I had never heard of such a thing until then but eventually after friend after friend began to approach me, I became well acquainted with the notion that such a thing even existed. The “crisis” involved my friends asking questions about where they were, where they were going, where they wanted to go and whether or not they were on the right path to get there; all very plausible questions. I began to wonder when my birthday rolled around if I would suffer through the same process. Luckily I was spared. So May 3, 2009 came and went and there was no deep desire to have all of life’s questions answered, there was no feeling of regret, there were no worries that I wouldn’t accomplish the million and one things I had set out to accomplish. And why should there have been? I was engaged, preparing to graduate from law school the following weekend in front of 20 family and friends, preparing to take a great job in Chicago and bar prep was still almost a month away.
Since that day 2 years ago life happened and the questions arose. There have been many questions that I have posed to myself regarding my purpose and presence in life and whether what I was doing was right or wrong and what I could do better and improve upon.
In the 2 years since my 25th birthday, I’ve had a failed engagement, got what to me was my dream job at the moment, resigned from it, got another job, dealt with the passing of my grandmother, and met the woman of my dreams. And that’s just the Cliff Notes version. Missing is all the stuff I did in between when I lost myself, found myself and what I did to keep my sanity while this was going on.
As I look back over my life and reflect on what happened, what should have happened and what could have happened I see just how blessed I am. I have life, a good job, great family and friends, a loving girlfriend, which is more than most. Grant it all of the above aren’t always perfect, but then again, nothing and no one this side of heaven is.
What have I learned?
I’ve learned everything happens for a reason. We don’t always understand why at the time, but in time we will. We just have to be patient and willing to learn the lesson each chapter in our life is meant to teach us.
I’ve learned to take nothing and no one for granted. Every experience is one that will make us into who we’ll be tomorrow and that life is filled with continuous struggle, strife and obstacles. Without adversity there can be no growth. I’ve lost friends and gained friends and girlfriends too. And no matter how good or bad their exits may have been I’m thankful for their presence in my life for however long or short it may have been. I’m thankful to say that everyone that I’ve met has had some positive contribution to my life in some way, shape or form.
I’ve also learned that while it’s easy to eat, drink and do what we want with little regard for its impact on our lives tomorrow, that it’s challenging and necessary to monitor what we put in our bodies and what we put our bodies through. Many of us adhere to the phrase “Live Fast and Die Young” and to “Live Like There’s No Tomorrow.” However, in the off chance that there is a tomorrow how good will yours be if you don’t take care of yourself today? My grandmother didn’t die of old age in her sleep. She died of congestive heart failure, with diabetes, high blood pressure and a heart working at less than 15% of its capacity after years of suffering. While she was a virtuous woman who I loved dearly she wasn’t perfect and there were some things I learned from her in the things she did wrong. Have fun, enjoy life and take care of yourself today so that tomorrow is worth living.
Last but not least, I’d like to thank each and every one of you who take time out of your busy schedules to read my blog. They’re just my thoughts and I’m happy that you’re there to share them with. I’d also like to thank everyone for the birthday wishes, calls, texts, e-mails and LOVE. I greatly appreciate it. Thanks goes out to my family and friends for your love, support and tolerance of me. Even when you don’t think I care, trust that I do. Thank you to the best girlfriend in the world who could have been anywhere in the world on 5/3/11 but on my birthday she was with me. Until next time, Stay Up and Stay Blessed!
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