Birthday Non-Blues

Birthdays...wow they just keep piling up. Once I past the magic half century I started to notice a few things about birthdays.

1. Things became less important than relationships - I mean how many new tools, ties, electronic gadgets do you really need? I have a bounty, so many 'things' that I had to build an addition to the storage shed we built last year. I'd rather have family and friends around an capture memory than any item.

2. Food tastes better - yes I know I have to watch my weight more now but really, since I have to watch it, every morsel I eat should be important and taste good.

3. Less money - Last year I changed jobs, from high pressure to low pressure. From management to technical (see my other posts to this blog). I took a cut in pay at a time when we had 3 kids in college (thanks to my understanding and supportive wife!) but it paid off in mental health and because we now commute together the difference in wages is down to just a couple of thousand dollars.

4. Spiritual Self - I cannot believe that I, a devout non-believer have found religion. Of course it is still a journey but the 'faith' component of my life is sure filling in holes that were in need of filling.

5. Music - I took clarinet lessons as a kid, dropped them in the 8th grade, picked it up again four years a ago, dropped it when I returned to school and now am taking voice lessons. I'll never be a great singer but it is so enjoyable that I do it just for that alone.

6. Short time - OK, when you cross the 50 bridge (I crossed it a little while back) you know that the light at the end of the tunnel is your exit. I get it, time is finite not infinite. There is a limited supply and every day waste will never be given back.

So live, love, and follow your passions.