Perspective

I try to keep a healthy amount of perspective in my life.  That said I can get wound up about small things and gloss over big things.  I would rather not wait for a failure to drive my behavior.  To that end, I try to maintain my health with diet and exercise.  I don’t have a perfect diet or healthy body weight, but I am aware of my diet and body weight.  On most days, I know that I am cheating by eating a donut or skipping a workout.  I have routine physicals.

I try to manage finances carefully.  I save money for retirement and for my kids.  I am aware when I am squandering money by purchasing things I don’t need or gambling and losing.

I am reasonably focused in the workplace and take steps to increase my value to the company.  I am up for challenges.  I keep my ego in check by performing administrative tasks when my job requires it.

With the family, I try to spend some time with my kids on a regular basis and make sure their basic needs are taken care of.  There is food in the refrigerator, the mortgage is paid and laundry is done on a regular basis.  I invest money in making sure the girls are exposed to activities such as gymnastics and swimming.  I will also spend some time in educational activities like reading and activity books.

I watch a significant amount of television, but not so much that it affects the family.

The perspective comes in terms of my 40 years on the planet.  Growing up at home, my lifestyle was fairly productive and I enjoyed structured activities and school.  In my 20’s I found myself in the grips of unhealthy addiction and often refer to the 1990’s as a lost decade.  The millennium showed some promise.  I progressed through some of life’s milestones.  Today, I look forward to the next 10 years and ask how would I like to look back on the decade?

Is there a milestone I want to reach?  Will there be a lost opportunity that I should have taken advantage of?  For example, I wish I would have been part of more clubs in college and made closer friendships.  Drinking and carousing gives me little to look back fondly on.  Similarly in my 30’s, I should have raced more and become more involved in clubs.  Being a husband and father is a big commitment.  I made a big commitment to go to night school to pursue an MBA.  While this may be applauded as a fine endeavor, maintaining my health and friendships suffered.  I don’t want a singular focus to upset my life balance again.

Upon turning 50, I don’t want to be ashamed of not spending enough time with my children.  I also don’t want to be trying to get in shape.  I want to either be at a healthy weight and fitness level or accept the weight and fitness level I am at.  I also want to forge closer friendships.  My parents and their cohorts face challenges that I am not equipped for in terms of my social support group.