My Reflections
@tavachet
These are my Daily Inspirations; things I have read that touch me, along with own reflections on life. I hope you enjoy them. A day for reflection. I have had an incredibly good life, that I have lived to some extent fearlessly. I have served my country, raised my children, involved myself in many charitable endeavors, and had more than a couple interesting careers. I've been a lifeguard, warfighter, bodyguard, mountain guide, ski patroller, deputy sheriff, paramedic, nurse, and "Beltway Bandit". I've worked for Fortune 50 companies, managed others, and owned my own as well. I've experienced recruitments, reorganizations, downsizes, aquisition and sales. I've declined opportunities that would have paid more in a year than what my father earned in his entire lifetime. I have traveled to dozens of countries, and climbed mountains on three continents. I've partied with the Rolling Stones in a New York hotel suite, had espresso and a breakfast conversation with Mikael Barishnikov in a Chelsea cafe, drank champaign out of "The Cup" with the "Great One" in an LA dive bar, and was guest at a birthday party with Eric Clapton and Bob Dylan in a medieval English pub in Stony Stratford England. I've celebrated Christmas in New York, New Year's Eve in Paris, Carnival in Rio, and St. Patrick's day in Dublin. I've been in the "corner" for an MMA championship, rinkside for an NHL championship, and shared a private box with Magic, Larry, and Michael for an NBA Championship. I've had lunch with Clint Eastwood at Warner Brothers Studio, played in a pickup basketball game with Adam Sandler, Prince, and Master "P", shared cocktails and political conversation with Bill Marr, and walked the red carpets at the Oscars, Golden Globes, Emmys and VMA awards. I've received a personal phone call from a sitting US President, lunched with a Vice-President, had my high school report card "stolen" by Bobby Kennedy, shared dinner every month with a two-time Oscar recipient, and dated a Wimbledon champion. I've witnessed the advent of television, portable telephones, air conditioners, hairdryers, electric razors, ball point pens, computers, space exploration and 4-lane highways, just to name a few. I learned penmanship using a fountain pen, basic math with an abacus, and calculus with a sliderule. Most importantly, I fathered two wonderful children, who have provided me with handsome grandsons. I've made good friends and aquaintences everywhere I've been. I've lost some of those along the way. I've battled depression throughout my entire life. I've never felt I fit in - a square peg trying to fit in a round hole. I'm the definition of an "old soul", with the wisdom of a life lived, in contrast to an affinity for all things younger than my chronilogical age would indicate. In conclusion, I've been blessed with the experiences I've enjoyed since my days growing up in a small Midwest farming community. I've lived large, and lost, and rebuilt. I've loved, and lost love, and hoping for love again someday. Today, I am content, grateful, and hopeful. I'm also excited to begin the next chapter of my life, and hope to see some of you out there. Because you all are part of my life's journey.
