Alright, my birthday happened this week. It’s time for your annual sappy post.
It’s incredible to think that I am now 37 years of age, and while that number feels big and daunting, I still feel like a kid in a lot of ways. Last year, following my birthday, I talked about getting lost in the rat race and not taking the time to enjoy the ride that life provides.
Luckily, through therapy, grace, and love, I think I can say that I enjoyed a terrific day surrounded by loved ones.
My family has been terrific at motivating me and pushing me to continue to be better. My work colleagues lean on me to be a leader (which is weird), but it’s a role that I have enjoyed. I’ve also enjoyed reconnecting with folks I had fallen out of touch with and picking up those relationships like nothing had changed.
As I enter this new chapter of my life, I have to sit back and reflect on some of the things that I am grateful for. Those who know me personally know that I work with a certain individual who preaches having “an attitude of gratitude.”
It sounds corny, but I’ll tell you what: it’s true. I’ve been focusing on the small things in life, things that others might take for granted.
Car breaks down? I think, “Cool, Ralph, at least you have a car. Some folks aren’t so lucky.”
Have to wake up early on your day off to take your dog to an appointment, only for them to cancel? At least I got to wake up and enjoy another day.
Gotta deviate from a busy schedule to help out a family member? At least you still have family members to help out.
It’s those small blessings that aren’t lost on me anymore. I used to think about how much of an inconvenience something was (I know, flawed logic), but now I’ve shifted my thinking to “I GET to do something.”
Cleveland Guardians closing pitcher Cade Smith said it best the other day when speaking about playing baseball in cold weather: “Playing in the cold at the beginning of the season is part of your job and an obligation. Playing in the cold at the end of the season is a privilege.”
It’s so easy to be tired, have somewhere to be, and think of it as a nuisance. But the fact of the matter is that you GET to do something. You GET to play soccer. You GET to take photos. You GET to be surrounded by people you love. These are all incredible bonuses that can get overlooked in everyday life.
The same can be applied here. Having these things happen to you at this point in life is a privilege. It means that people count on you to get things done and that you have a certain level of expertise. They ask you to complete a task or help out with something because they trust you to get it done.
I don’t have life figured out (probably never will if we are honest…who needs to be perfect anyway?), and I know there will be days when I fall back into old habits and lose sight of these things. But if 36 has taught me anything, it’s that I don’t want to spend so much time worrying about the destination that I forget to appreciate the ride.
Here’s to another year of learning, growing, and reminding myself just how fortunate I am to GET to do this thing called life.