So I am a week from 50 years old and I could never have predicted my life. I live in Oregon. I am married, I have two kids, and two dogs. I had never envisioned leaving California and I was to be a famous businessman living the high life. There were a couple of left turns and side streets to get here, but overall I am happy with where I am on the journey. If there were any changes, it would be to explore roads I passed by and find out where they did go to, but is time I didn't have.
It used to be about me. If I wanted to go to Niagara Falls, kayaking on the Channel Islands, or to the World Cup in 1994, I did it. It was fun, made me happy, and I wanted to try all sorts of things.
Now, it is about my wife and children. It is more fulfilling to me to see them happy than anything else. There is a picture from one Christmas morning a few years ago, where the kids are coming down the hallway and see the living room decorated, the lights on the tree, and Christmas presents waiting for them. I think Delaney had wanted a bike and Andrew wanted a Wii. The joy and wonder on their face was the best Christmas present I got the whole year. I wish I saw that look more often on Dana's face, but I guess it is all the more special when I do see it. I want to show my children things that I value -- Yosemite, the Eifel Tower, a fantastic sunset -- and when I am gone and they see a sunset, a nice thought about me will be included. At 50, my perspective has shifted.
So, what do I want to do differently to make my next 50 years worthwhile and I don't spend the last 25 of the waiting to die.
