A Second Life
Published: Thu, 11/12/15
But I'm typing this out about two hours before I turn 50.
You know how you have those moments in your life
you can kinda sorta imagine, but they're so far in
the future, it's hard to really know?
This birthday is one of them for me.
So was turning 40.
So was getting married. So was having kids.
And I suppose turning 60, and having grandkids
will be similar.
And some other less pleasant ones as well.
But here it is...two hours from the half century mark.
Of course I'll be sending this out on the actual
day of my birthday...just to keep it real. :)
It's been a pretty remarkable year. Far and away
the most successful year in business Diane and
I have had as a couple, and I've had as an individual.
Part of the reason for that is learning some new
skills and creating some stuff that people want.
Most of the reason is I've never lost sight of this fact...
I am in business to serve.
Not to line my own pockets.
To serve.
And in the process of serving, the receiving comes
naturally...so long as we're willing to let it in.
So yeah, I wondered what turning 50 would be like.
And I'm sure it's different for every person.
Turns out, so far it's a whole lot of fun!
Yeah, the celebration part was amazing. Lunch
at Le Bernadin in NYC, which has been a fantasy
of mine for years.
And lots more "stuff" over the next few days.
And of course lots of birthday wishes from friends.
And two daughters who love and honor their dad,
even if they refer to him as "old" an awful lot.
Two parents in good health who get to watch their
"boy" hit the half century mark. I am not taking
that for granted. Not for a second.
A second life. One that blends seamlessly into the first.
A hundred thousand mistakes. And I'm still around
to tell the tale.
Humor. Grace. Forgiveness.
For others. And for myself.
Dissatisfaction with the parts that don't work,
and a desire to make them better.
And if you think that's nothing, look around at
the people who've given up...who are phoning
their lives in instead of living them.
Maturity. At least I think so!
Because in many respects, I still see the world like a kid.
But I see some of the landmines coming ahead of time,
partially because I've already stepped on them.
We get better. We get stronger.
And yes, we decline. It's inevitable.
But when we do it right, we keep our dignity
and our peace along the way.
Over the next few days I'll be mapping out what I'd
like my second life to look and feel like.
Because I figured out along the way...that's one of
the most important steps in making things happen...
Knowing what you want them to be.
You can wait for a special life occasion to start
your second life.
Or you can start today. Now.
Hey, we can do it together.
Either way, thanks for keeping me company on
this part of the journey.
I'll be rolling out more stuff, and partnering with
some amazing people in my fifties.
You're invited.
Much Love,
Larry