Another Year Older and Younger

Today is my 32nd birthday. It seems that many people get depressed upon finding themselves older, but I’ve always wondered why. Did their birthdays somehow sneak up on them? So, today I am taking to writing about the future, and how I have learned from my past.

This year I will become a father. That is so exciting to me that I can hardly wait until my baby girl is here. But, this tiny little baby will drop a bomb on my life like nothing ever has before. Over the past year, I have made it a goal to step back and take an objective look at my actions and how they have or will determine my decisions. On or about March 26, 2010, those decisions will affect the course of anothers’ life. I can’t wait!

This year I will compete in my second Ironman. I learned so much from my experience at Ironman Wisconsin this past September and I can’t wait to test my mettle against Ironman Louisville. Yet again, objectivity is shaping the way I am approaching this event and the events surrounding it, both other races and the training required. This time however, I have someone helping me to navigate the stormy waters of endurance and fitness.

This year is one where balancing the above mentioned things must not take precedence over my constant pursuit of my musical career. This is even more important now because of so many arts organizations canceling or postponing gigs and auditions. But, practicing and refining must go on.

The reason I titled this post ‘Another Year Older and Younger’ is because it’s truly the way I feel. I have worked hard on my fitness and health over the past year and as a result have lost twenty-five pounds and have gone farther and faster than I ever thought possible. I have taken the parts of my life that bring me down and put them to the side, no matter how important. I am not shirking adversity, and I am dealing with it as it comes, but I am not dwelling on it either. Why would I? An analogy I like to use is; worry is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do for a while, but when you stand up you’re still in the same place.

As I continue to do all these thing, as well as being married to my best friend, I feel younger every day. I am sure that eventually I will hit a tipping point in terms of feeling my age, but hopefully, my mind will begin to go before then so I won’t even notice! I’ll be the 100 year old guy swimming, biking and running his way aimlessly around the country. Just pass me some water if you see me.

As cheesy as it may sound, I’d like to conjure up a phrase from Maestro Bobby McFerrin:

Don’t worry, be happy!