My elementary school had two floors. The top floor was the Kindergarten through 4th Grade classrooms and the bottom floor housed the 5th and 6th Graders. We moved into the neighborhood when I was eight, so I started in that school in 3rd Grade and couldn’t even imagine the time it would take me to finally be downstairs. Obviously I made it not just to the classrooms on the lower floor but completed studies well beyond the college level.
When I first began my career in the distressed industry there was an organization I wanted to join. But I was told that new members had to be a part of the community for a minimum tenure of five years to be eligible for entry. FIVE YEARS seemed like forever back then when I was so anxious to meet people, bring in new business, be viewed as a competent colleague, and be in the room where it was all happening. Sure enough, by the time the clock ticked past, I had already moved onto other things and never even joined the group.
A friend of mine moved into a 55 and over community in New Jersey a few years back to enjoy less taxes and a great new condo with a pool on site and terrific clubhouse amenities. At the time I thought 55 was light years away. And now… Ahem. No comment.
When Michael and I started dating it was July of 2020. A crazy time. In the thick of Covid and social distancing and uncertainty. Plus we met on the known for hookups dating website Tinder. But we clicked instantly and knew it was the real thing. So back then I asked him how long he thought we would have to be together for people to take our relationship seriously? And his answer was five years.
Well I’m both shocked and delighted to report that come July of this year, we will ring in the five year mark together! But how is it even possible that five years have already gone by?? I feel like I’ve known him forever and can’t imagine not being with him for the rest of my life and still these five short years flew by!
Even when you’re paying attention and keeping track, time seems to just slide by. Over the last few years I have dealt with so many challenges. From job insecurities to losing a few close relatives, a health scare, family estrangement, and Michael moving– it’s been a lot. And a ton of amazing things have happened as well. From unbelievable travel to making great new connections, improvements in lifestyle and enjoying incredible culinary delights… I feel very lucky. And here I am… forward thinking, positive about the future and grinding away to ensure a great today and better tomorrow.
So many spectacular things are on the calendar! Thrilling travel both domestically and internationally and personal commitments I look forward to are already booked. A milestone blog threshold is in my immediate future with whispers of a new book to capture my first (wow!) 500 posts. For my new business, deals are closing and I couldn’t be happier with the launch. For the most part I am truly living my dream. Is life perfect? No. But I want to appreciate every single day and new experience and not just race through to the next trip or the next blog or the next deal. I am determined to savor the happy.
So I’m not looking to move forward all that fast. The younger me would be surprised that I’m not jonesing for the bottom floor or pining for immediate access to the coveted group. Because right here is just fine and I appreciate every moment. I feel like I’ve earned a seat at the table as a qualifier for living my best life and I have absolutely no plans to change seats anytime soon.
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