Not the life your parents planned.
Not the life you imagined as a kid.
Not the life planned for retirement.
Not the life depicted in social media.
Not the life expected by high school friends.
Not the life anticipated at college graduation.
But this life, the one you are living right now.
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It is 12:15 am, and I am starting to write yesterday's post. I was in bed with blankets giving comfort from the blustery winds and real feel temperature of 16 degrees Fahrenheit outside, but I had not written a post.
I reasoned the community would let it slide.
The topic this week is thankfulness. America celebrates Thanksgiving this Thursday by getting together with friends and family. We eat a lot of rich food, renew relationships or argue about our differences, watch American football, and if all goes well catch a bit of a nap in the afternoon.
I live an abundant life that includes; a marriage of many years, children I love, meaningful work, vibrant spiritual community, and a writing project to inspire others to a richer life. I am a thankful man and have experienced many blessings.
On two occasions this weekend, I met gentlemen, that while not wealthy, said that if they were to die today, they are pleased with the life they have lived and are very happy. All three of us are content, and this is a good place to be.
While we are content, we are not complacent. There is much work to be done and it requires getting up out of a warm bed to do what is necessary.
My important task is to thank you for your attention and kind encouragement over these past several months as I brought this idea to life. We have covered many topics through the gift of inquiry. Most people are unwilling to pause, think, and encounter who they are deep down inside. This work can be time-consuming and scary, which is not popular in today's world.
Thank-you for the likes and comments of prose or emoji love. For the followers that stick around to see the new weekly topics and consider how the questions influence or impact your lives, I am grateful.
Seth Godin discusses the importance of consistency and showing up to do the work. Gary V talks about the #hustle and #grind of putting in the work. The easy response is to listen to the howling winds, duck further under the covers, and hustle off to dreamland. You are worth more than the easy response, and I am thankful for your presence at the other end of the Internet.
The flag memorialized my grandfather's military service and draped his casket. I wore the patch early in my Navy career and found it with my father's tie clasps after his death. The pin honors my qualification in the submarine service, the proudest moment in my career. I wore the hat while stationed onboard the USS Alexandria (SSN-757) submarine.
I shipped out to boot camp in Great Lakes, Michigan on December 7th, 1988. 47 years after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Marching through the Michigan winter to chow, and the intense smell of moth balls embedded in our uniforms are memories that have stuck.
One early morning, I stood lookout on top of the submarine as we were returning to port in Groton, Connecticut. It was a crisp morning, the seas were calm, and the predawn was stunning. The massive warship rumbled at our feet, effortlessly parting the surface of Long Island Sound over the bow. This perch was a magical vantage point to greet the day.
A few short hours later I sat in my car and waited for the red light to turn green. As I watched people going about their daily routines, I realized, no one else started their day, the same way I did.
During Desert Storm, I was in a shipyard helping deliver a new submarine to the Fleet. As an added perk, I met my wife, of 23 years, while in the shipyard. The Navy has been good to me and my service was far easier than others.
Today, the U.S. honors her Veterans. Memorial Day honors those who have died while serving. Veterans Day celebrates all Veterans who have served our nation. The men, women, and families that sacrifice an ordinary life to learn the art of war and ensure the horrors never reach our citizens.
Today, there is some young kid, standing lookout on the bridge of a submarine, watching the water break over the bow, and ensuring we are safe. We don't restrict our love for Mom to Mothers Day and don't need to limit our appreciation of Veteran's to a single day.
Every day is a good day to thank a Vet.
Going Further: Who are the Veteran's in your relational network? What stories have you heard? How have you expressed gratitude for their service? How do you support those that are currently serving?