So…my birthday was this past Friday. Friday the thirteenth to be exact, and I turned 46. Of course, I’m still rather shocked by this recent development, as I continue to think of myself as twenty-something…I mean, really, where did the last 20 years go?? Twenty years.
But they did go by, and on our ride, Scotch and I reminisced over all the trails we’ve ridden together, rivers we’ve crossed, mountains we’ve climbed…well, you get the idea. But we really have accomplished quite a lot in the years we’ve been together.
Since my birthday is in September and has always coincided with the beginning of a new school year, I’ve usually seen this time to be a season of fresh beginnings and set new goals for myself for the next year in my life. Even as a child I’ve always been acutely aware of the passing of time and that we are here for only a very short while in the grand scheme of things; and that choosing to live well and making the best of your talents and abilities is, if a bit cheesy and cliche, very important. The downside is that it’s also been paralyzing, in many ways because I’ve also been afraid of making mistakes and committing to decisions for fear of choosing the wrong direction to go in and losing precious time. Of course, the consequence to that is the years move forward while you stand still, afraid to make a move.
So, I’ve been learning that the only real mistake is in not trying and wondering forever what if…
Success is such a personal thing and I shouldn’t be afraid that my idea or definition of success has to match everyone else’s. And….
I’d better sign off now before anyone accuses me of rambling on in my advanced years.