What's the Point

My life is pretty predictable. Get up, go to work, come home, eat dinner, watch a movie, go to bed, get up, go to work... well... you get the idea. Some days I mix it up a by watching television instead of a movie. I know it's crazy but that's just how I roll.

When I hit my 38th birthday last year I started wondering what's the point of it all? Is this really what life was meant to be? A series of days strung together by the mediocrity of every day life? Where are all the things I was supposed to accomplish by the time I turn 40? Home ownership? Nope.... fabulous job in a career I love... not happening... savings? Nice car? Relatively stress free life? Nope, nope, and nope.

I've tried to get around these feelings by taking stock of the things I do have instead of the things I don't. I'm not working my dream job, but I am gainfully and permanently employed in a time when a lot of people are out of work and struggling to find a job. I don't own my home, but I am able to pay rent on a three bedroom house in a nice part of town. My car isn't the nicest on the block, but it runs and isn't a total clunker. I don't have any savings, but no one in my family is starving and let's be honest, who really lives a stress free life?

I guess my point is that as I approach my 39th birthday in two months I find myself taking stock of my life once again. I realize that while I'm not where I'd like to be professionally, I do have a lot going for me. Aside from the things I mentioned earlier, I also have a wife and son who adore me for who I am. I am loved, and that goes a long way. I suppose the rest will come in time, but it's hard to be patient. I've taken the long, hard road to get where I am and I don't know where the future is going for me yet. Life is short and I've spent a lot of mine standing on the sidelines drifting along wherever the currents of fate take me.

Only now do I realize one very important fact... My fate, my destiny is mine alone. If I want something I need to ask for it. If I need something I need to demand it. No one has your best interests in mind, they can't. They're too busy worrying about their own interests. That's just human nature, but the people that care about you, the people who love you will respond when you ask for what you want or demand what you need. But in the end it is all up to you. Your lot in life is yours and yours alone. Sink or swim... it is entirely up to you.

My only regret is I didn't figure this out 20 years ago.