THE DREAM IN ACTION

above picture is of my father and my brother in-law to be

Alert: This post is not business, travel, or startup related at all. It’s almost completely personal. If you don’t know me you may not find it interesting at all. But I hope that you take what I’ve realized here and apply it to your life. I hope that you’re happier and more appreciative of your situation because of it. You’ve been warned.

A few weeks back, on St. Patrick’s day I had my engagement party. My folks were in from San Diego, my folks in law to-be were in from the burbs, and a bunch of friends from both home and college trekked there way to Chicago to help celebrate. We started the day at 8:30am with kegs and eggs, and of course bubbly to celebrate.

When you have an event like this where people are coming together to celebrate something in YOUR life, you really have to take a minute to realize how lucky you are. I didn’t do that, at least not right away. Tonight as I was going back through pics from that weekend (pictures here) I realized what a cool group of friends I have and how lucky I am to have them. My Dad has always told me that a persons ability to pick their friends has a crucial role in the direction of their life, and he’s dead on. It’s the same as the idea that you become your surrounding or environment. As my Mom would say, “Garbage in garbage out.” When you decide to put yourself around good people you’re in a better spot to make good decisions, have good experiences, and have a better life.

Over an Alterra Pu-Erh tea, I also realized just how lucky I am to be marrying into a family that I love so much. This coming weekend I’m scheduled, shitty Wisconsin weather permitting, to head up north with my father in-law to-be; and I’m pumped. Many guys getting married would be dreading such a trip, counting it as, “putting in the time”, but I’m genuinely excited for the trip. That’s rare and I’ve just realized that tonight.

As I sit and reflect on life, the people around me, and the situations I’ve put myself in fallen into with dumb luck, I’ve realized how lucky I am.

Take the time to reflect on your life and realize just how lucky you are.