Mortality is an interesting thing and if COVID has taught us anything, it is that it should be valued. Today marked my 36th birthday and, while it was a time to reflect on being another year older with my professional dreams not yet achieved, it also opened up the world of possibilities before me.
I’m a writer, not yet published, but so were many of the greats at the age of 36 so, needless to say, I have time. I’m a dad, a husband, and I’ve had the blessing of being able to travel to over 29 states in the last 10 months in our camper that we were able to purchase. I saw the country, from the flatest areas of the midwest to the majestic peaks of the Rockies, Tetons, and Glacier. I stood at the top of Clingman’s Dome in the Smoky’s and fulfilled my inner dreams of descending into Tolkien’s Moria (in a sense) by exploring Mammoth Cave.
My point is I’ve had time to reflect and take in the energy of Mother Nature and discover my inner voice; absorb the Force if you will. Our time is short on this Earth and all of it cannot be spent reflecting on what you don’t have yet. Pay attention to what you do have, seen, or experienced.
So as the sun has set on this 36th birthday, I’m grateful that I am sitting on a lake watching the beautiful hues of purple and orange as the sun goes down behind Stone Mountain in Georgia, and knowing that I will hit some great writing goals this year and if one of them is not the ultimate achievement of getting published this year, at least I’ve lived and have my beautiful family to explore with. And THAT is truly the most important thing.
Chris Kauzlarich 