Well, he may have one regret if he ever learns how to spell...
Every day we make decisions. Each decision is calculated on what we think is best for us at that given moment and is based on the cards we have in our hand.
- Should I call in sick today?
- Red shirt or green shirt?
- Should I take the highway or back roads to work?
Living in the past done nothing for us other than to cause anxiety about what could have been. At the same time it is not good to live in the future about what you will be doing or where you will be in 1 year, 5 years, or 20 years from now. This causes stress about moving towards your plan, and ulitmately being let down when you do not achieve your goals.
I have had people over the years tell me how they are jealous of one or more facet of my life: what I have, what I do, where I work, where I travel. To these people, I will say this - don't be jealous of me or wish you could trade places. Where I am is a collection of MY life experiences. Each of you have a collection of your own life experiences that makes you (for better or worse) who you are today, what you believe in and so fourth.
My life may seem great, decent job, jetsetting lifestyle (as I sit at Heathrow airport typing this up), and up until recently a seemingly great marriage.
My life has not turned out anything like what I expected it to be when I was a kid, teenager or even as a college student. It has turned out BETTER than I ever could have imagined! Despite my current situation there is not one thing I would change about it, or anything in the past. And the woman I married? I just want her to be happy and find happiness. I wish nothing bad on her and I still care about her and want nothing but the best for her. I am a much better person for having known her and she is a huge part of the reason that I am who I am today, and that I am where I am today. We do not know what the future holds, life is a journey and not a destination.
I am trying my best to live in the present. Take each day for what it is, a day. I recently watched Varsity Blues where the coach said to his players, "48 minutes for the next 48 years of your life." Live the next 48 minutes for what it really is, 48 minutes. Live each day for today. Make the best of it, and be sure those who you love know how much you love and care about them. Each breath could be your last, though hopefully we all have many many more.
I have also had a lot of people offer me sympathy, pity or other emotions for my change in my situation recently. Although it is great to know I have friends who care about me enough to offer these, I do not need or want your pity or sympathy. I have found my life to be much more fulfilling in the past few months by embracing the joys of what I have than to embrace the sorrow of what I lost.
Life is like a grind stone. It wears you out or sharpens you up, it just depends on what you are made of.
In the past, I was letting life wear me out but I have turned myself around to where I am getting sharpened up again. It is a slow process, but it is worth it. And to anyone else who is letting life wear you down, know this - you ARE worth fighting for!
In the past, I was letting life wear me out but I have turned myself around to where I am getting sharpened up again. It is a slow process, but it is worth it. And to anyone else who is letting life wear you down, know this - you ARE worth fighting for!
Greener grass - Most of you have also heard the phrase "The grass is greener on the other side if the fence." One lesson I have learned myself is that if the grass is greener on the other side, maybe you should look and see what you are doing to the grass on your side of the fence. Stop pissing in your grass and actually taking care of it and you would be surprised how green your grass can get.
If you are envious of of someone's station in life as compared to your own, rather than sulk about how unfair it is, or garner hatred towards those individuals, it is so much better and healthier to ask yourself what YOU can do to change your station in life. You are the one in control of your life (along with God if you believe in him). Once you realize what can be done, start doing what needs to be done to improve yourself. Then throw out that mirror that causes you to look at your past and then start watering, fertilizing and aerating your grass so it is as lush and green as you want it to be.
With that being said, I am going to sign off and wish you the best. Catch you all when I get back State-side.
