On Turning 45

This past Monday I completed my 45th lap around the sun.  I was offered many o congratulatory well wish for a fun, relaxing, safe day in honor of the occasion.

I appreciated all of them… 

What I have learned over these past 45 years is that I am most appreciative of my friends and family, they are truly the best gifts one can wish.  I am blessed with truly diverse fellow travelers and I gain in my philosophical, spiritual and intellectual knowledge daily because of their teachings (intended or not).

Those that I do not agree with challenge me to buttress by own beliefs and values with fact, logic and philosophy… those that I agree with allow a calm solace of occasionally paddling with the stream for awhile.

I have multiple groups of friends, from my close circle of those who have known me since San Diego State (or earlier), my more recent poker and golfing buddies, and to some I’ve met though common interest, be it Photography, or Naval Aviation.  (Only a few within these groups actually cross pollinate, which I continue to think is generally beneficial to expanding my continuing education.)

I’ve said before I am not one to stop and take an inventory of my life… mostly out of fear I may discover I’ve been shoplifted… In general I am content with all I have experienced, and I seek to experience more.  I try to live my life by a simple (somewhat stoic) philosophy of “In life you never get what you expect, you only get what you INSPECT!” encouraging a life of the here and now, do not fret over things you cannot change or manipulate, and focus your energies on those that you can in a positive way.

As Epictetus says, “He who craves or shuns things not
under his control can neither be faithful nor free, but must himself be changed and tossed to and fro and must end by subordinating himself to others.”

“Work with what you have control of and you’ll have your hands full.”

I don’t always succeed in this premise, but it is good to know where I want to strive.

Thank you all for sharing your wisdom, in hopes that I may gain some… Isn’t it great that wisdom is one of those things you can share with others all your life an never deplete your own supply, nor ever completely fill your own vessel?