Oh give me a home with a deck all my own
It's probably worth noting that Saturday marked the six-year anniversary of me leaving academia. I left my one-bedroom apartment on Saturday, May 22, 2004. I had two Masters Degrees under my belt, but I felt like a complete failure because I was leaving without completing my PhD. I didn't even get to comps. I couldn't drive, I had no job even though I had applied to more than 30 that seemed the perfect fit, I had no money, and soon my college loans were going to be asking me to pay them off. I was almost 26. I felt like a complete failure. In fact, I felt like such a failure that I threw up twice that day, a fact my family still does not let me forget!
At my old apartment, there were two things that often occupied my mind. I always wished I had a deck. My apartment building had a little porch that I would go sit on sometimes, but it was public property. I couldn't just walk out there barefoot. And I wondered how much better my life would be if I could drive.
It's probably worth noting that I just came in from sitting on my deck, where I have flowers and herbs and potentially some vegetables growing (pictures soon, when it's the way I want it). I walked out in my PJs and felt the new Summer air as I basked in the light emanating from my own bedroom. And it's worth noting that against all odds, I have a car and I can drive it -- without pedal extenders.
It's so easy in life to say "I want more. I want this better. I want this bigger."
I'd like to take this moment to say that right now, at this moment, I have everything I wished for six years ago at this time. I have the perfect amount of perfect friends, I have my own place with my own deck, a job, financial security, a car I can drive, and a trip to Hawaii under my belt.
Have you taken stock lately of the wishes that have come true without you noticing?
At my old apartment, there were two things that often occupied my mind. I always wished I had a deck. My apartment building had a little porch that I would go sit on sometimes, but it was public property. I couldn't just walk out there barefoot. And I wondered how much better my life would be if I could drive.
It's probably worth noting that I just came in from sitting on my deck, where I have flowers and herbs and potentially some vegetables growing (pictures soon, when it's the way I want it). I walked out in my PJs and felt the new Summer air as I basked in the light emanating from my own bedroom. And it's worth noting that against all odds, I have a car and I can drive it -- without pedal extenders.
It's so easy in life to say "I want more. I want this better. I want this bigger."
I'd like to take this moment to say that right now, at this moment, I have everything I wished for six years ago at this time. I have the perfect amount of perfect friends, I have my own place with my own deck, a job, financial security, a car I can drive, and a trip to Hawaii under my belt.
Have you taken stock lately of the wishes that have come true without you noticing?