Changes

Sometimes you know when its time for a change, and sometimes change gives you a kick in the butt.

There are times in your life when you find yourself wanting a change. You know your situation is not right, but yet you still carry forward since its easier to not do anything. In those times, most people reach a breaking point and inevitably there will be a change.

Other times, change is forced on us. For me, this happened recently. Being let go from a job after 12 years of service would qualify as a drastic change. But honestly, I've seen it coming for a very long time. Being an optimist helps prolong the agony. The hope that it will get better or that you can outlast the bad parts, overwhelms your common sense.

I'm the end, it will all be good. How do I know? Because I wasn't very happy or satisfied creatively for a long time, and any change at that point would be a good one. Still the optimist, yes, but with the realization that I alone can control how happy I can be.

What We Leave Behind

They say "You can't take it with you", but what about "What you leave behind"?

When I was younger I thought that the goal in life was getting ahead and accumulating "things". You go out to fancy places. You buy shiny toys. You get ahead. After a while you realize that you actually have enough "things". And then, if you're lucky, you have a family, and all that changes.

From then on, you don't accumulate for you, but for them. You take them to fancy (but more likely, fun) places. You buy them new toys. You make it easier for them to get ahead.

At some point you realize that, just as your parents did before you, you are leaving your mark on those around you. You are leaving it on your kids. On your spouse. And on your friends.

You'll never be remembered by the things you have. No one will ever say, "They had an amazing phone. You should have seen it." What people will remember you for is how you treated them. How you loved them. How you spent time with them. There can be no greater tribute than to be remembered as one who cared.

So, the next time you're out shopping, remember that the most precious gift you can ever give someone is the gift of you.