So, I turned 40.
And, certain events/people from my past have crept back into my life - or at least into my view.
Which have all made me take a look back at what I've done with my life up until now.
Sometimes it's tough to measure my success when I don't get a paycheck or have business cards with a title after my name.
But I'm really proud of the choices I've made that have led me to where I am right now.
They haven't all been great choices, mind you, but I dodged some fairly serious bullets in my time and for that, I am extremely grateful.
Just an example:
I used to work for this man.
When I moved to Boston, he wanted me to be his "East Coast Office".
I declined.
Great decision.
(I can't decide if he is scarier with the beard or without.
I probably still need therapy from working there.)
I'm grateful for a good education that was only a step towards a goal of lifelong learning - inside a classroom or out.
I'm grateful that I served a really hard mission that made me learn the value of hard work with perhaps little payback.
I'm grateful for my faith that gives me a perspective to the bigger picture and that I can always rely on.
I'm grateful for doing hard things so I may better guide my family through the minefields that the world will throw us.
I'm grateful for parents who always love me no matter what and have truly given me the world.
I'm grateful that I followed my gut and moved to Boston when there was really nothing here (at the time) to entice me.
I'm grateful that I met an able, wise, wonderful, hard-working, smart, faithful man who will always be my best friend.
I'm grateful for people in my life who are tremendous examples of good.
It's not about my measurements.
It's not about my material goods.
It's not about a title.
It's about what I do with what I'm given and how I treat others.
Life is fabulous.
The end.
And, certain events/people from my past have crept back into my life - or at least into my view.
Which have all made me take a look back at what I've done with my life up until now.
Sometimes it's tough to measure my success when I don't get a paycheck or have business cards with a title after my name.
But I'm really proud of the choices I've made that have led me to where I am right now.
They haven't all been great choices, mind you, but I dodged some fairly serious bullets in my time and for that, I am extremely grateful.
Just an example:
I used to work for this man.
When I moved to Boston, he wanted me to be his "East Coast Office".
I declined.
Great decision.
(I can't decide if he is scarier with the beard or without.
I probably still need therapy from working there.)
I'm grateful for a good education that was only a step towards a goal of lifelong learning - inside a classroom or out.
I'm grateful that I served a really hard mission that made me learn the value of hard work with perhaps little payback.
I'm grateful for my faith that gives me a perspective to the bigger picture and that I can always rely on.
I'm grateful for doing hard things so I may better guide my family through the minefields that the world will throw us.
I'm grateful for parents who always love me no matter what and have truly given me the world.
I'm grateful that I followed my gut and moved to Boston when there was really nothing here (at the time) to entice me.
I'm grateful that I met an able, wise, wonderful, hard-working, smart, faithful man who will always be my best friend.
I'm grateful for people in my life who are tremendous examples of good.
It's not about my measurements.
It's not about my material goods.
It's not about a title.
It's about what I do with what I'm given and how I treat others.
Life is fabulous.
The end.
8 comments:
I view my mission as the hardest but best thing I did.
I love this post. Love the picture - love the image of dodging bullets. I can relate. And your list is excellent. You have really done well. You should be proud. Happy Birthday.
Happy birthday! You have created a beautiful life in every way. Isn't it amazing how many bullets we dodged on the way to getting where we wanted to go? Phew!
You're great, Liz.
So nice. I loved reading this. You are leading the way to how to turn 40 gracefully. ;) (I'm right behind ya, babe!)
Happy Birthday AGAIN....
Okay, hating this 40 thing. But love your perspective. Hope it was a great day!
When I grow up, I want to be like you. You make 40 look wonderful. I also want to spend a weekend away. Come on 40
Just wanted to know if your viewers realize that that is a mug shot? I am also wondering when i will stop having nightmares about that guy? I am so lucky to have met so many great people while working there to make the nightmares worth it:)
And remember that 40 is the new 30! (or so I keep telling myself)
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