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What to do, what to do? We grew up in the same region of Indiana, and I decided I would strike up a conversation. I quickly understood that his discomfort related to the taxi he was waiting for running late. Having just been traded to the Baltimore Orioles, he did not want to be late on his first game day. Well, of course, we jumped into my 1979 Buick LeSabre. I drove him to Memorial Stadium, the home of the Orioles. We talked and laughed the entire drive. I ended up with two tickets to that night’s game for the gesture. In life, we sometimes allow ourselves to be led to varying degrees of what I describe as falling asleep at the wheel. We let ourselves drift from who we are at our core. And we can end up forgetting to avoid the displeasure and to search out joy. I gradually became a master on the hamster wheel of average American adult life. I left my job as a teacher, going back to work in the corporate world. 
One Against The Others
Well, isn’t that what we do to provide for our families? I eventually married a person who was wrong for me. And of course, this portion of life wouldn’t be complete without a bad diet, sedentary lifestyle, and series of questionable career decisions. Yet fortunately one day I saw through this haze. I knew as the clock ticked toward forty, time was of the essence. I also knew once I crossed the threshold past forty, it would just become more difficult to make a change. In that moment, at my desk, I finally began the process of saying enough. I pulled out the calendar and counted the number of days until birthday number forty. I dedicated myself to a goal of forty workouts in the forty days before my fortieth birthday. I began cutting out the bad stuff. I eliminated what I call the whites from my diet. And the journey back to me began. My unhappy marriage happily ended. A Higher Place
I met the love of my life. My family of two became a family of five as my daughter and I welcomed my new wife and her sons to our family. And the new marriage and bigger family became six as we welcomed a baby girl one year later. Things were going well, better than in years. I was following a process to a better me. I was eating better, but was I eating well? I was working out, but was I really challenging myself? I was at the gym at 5:30 in the morning five to six days a week for a mix of strength and cardio training. I would also attend the occasional yoga class. Through this journey, I have been able to lose fifty pounds, weight that will never return. The uphill momentum of change had shifted downhill. There was no turning back now, but there was still this calling. I knew there was another level of happiness still eluding me. I was working on the physical me, yet I was still on the hamster wheel of waking up and working each day, each week, for the weekend. Full Of Emptiness
I was wound tight and full of worry about any shoe that might drop next. I realized I was still neglecting the emotional and spiritual sides of me. The loss of my dad gave me a hidden blessing. I was fortunate to be with him and work from his hospice room for his last two weeks of life. In the time afterward, as I processed the loss of my father, it was literally one of those moments in the shower. Standing quietly, water pouring over my head, I had an epiphany. I believe it was a message from Dad. My dad was a worrier, and that trait had gradually worsened as he aged. Yet I knew in that moment, he didn’t want me to spend one more moment wasted in worry. And it was time to get off the hamster wheel and truly search out happiness. With the loss of my father as the impetus, I was able to lean into the emotional and spiritual phase of my growth. And I knew this couldn’t be done alone. I found a life coach, an amazing person who helped me visualize this journey back to myself. She helped me recognize that our children are our greatest teachers. She also helped me see the value in each present moment, a practice of gratitude, and the importance of chasing our passions. I was introduced to meditation. Stepping aside from strength training, I made yoga my workout of choice. At this time, I also felt a calling to begin writing. Writing is something I have always wanted to do, but I had only done some personal journaling when I was younger. I met Elizabeth and joined the Best Ever You Network. The community Elizabeth has built is incredibly supportive and uplifting. I began sharing blogs to besteveryou.com, and the momentum of happiness was amazing. It was such an adrenaline rush to post a new blog to the site and share it through social media. I believe when you are chasing your passions, amazing things begin to happen for you. And isn’t it funny how things come full circle? Recently I came across some old documents and journals. And I realized, I am back. But that doesn’t mean the work is done. It means the juicy part is just beginning. Fourteen years into my path of change, I enjoy helping others find their passions, too. The first step can feel like the biggest and scariest. But one step is all it takes. Be honest with where you are and where you want to go. A simple workout schedule and subtle changes in how we eat can be a great start. Small wins lead to big momentum, and the thirst for change and continuous improvement grow. Don’t be afraid to ask for help now. I encourage you to seek a coach.