Facebook | Kevin Seney Author of “midlife drive”
“Nowadays most people die
of a sort of creeping common sense,
and discover when it is too late
that the only things one never regrets
are one’s mistakes”
~ Oscar Wilde
Returning from Italy last year, felt like a set back. I flew over on frequent flier miles, and stayed for free in a company owned apartment, so the trip never really cost me anything. But, I had high expectations of this being a great experience, and it turned out to be the opposite, so it felt like a personal failure.
I returned at the end of October, 2009. My brother picked me up at the airport in San Diego. I told him my story, and the said, “Cheer up dude. It just did not work out. Hang out with us for the holidays, and figure out what you are going to do next. You are welcome to stay.”
I was burned out from all the travel, etc, Grand Cayman, London, Rome, Florence, Cortona, Milan. It had been a non-stop emotional roller coaster. But, looking back it was still a great experience. I just did not like the outcome at the time.
The holidays came quickly, and got back into the swing of things in San Diego. I looked up a few friends, and before I knew it, November and December had flown by. Suddenly, it was January 2010. Now what?
When January rolls around, it is usually a relief. The New Year! Time to make plans. Set goals. Take out the dead Christmas tree. Clean out the garage. File your taxes, etc.
I was not feeling any “New Years relief!” I felt disconnected. The sense of purpose and freedom, that I began with back in August 2009 was gone. I was still stuck in the middle of my divorce. The economy was no better, and I was beginning to feel like a caged animal, pacing around, not knowing what to do.
There I was, living in my RV in my brother’s back yard. What happened? Why wasn’t I getting the “quick fix” that I was expecting? I was feeling trapped again, and overwhelmed with feelings of regret.
Then I got this random quote in my email:
Take chances. Tell the truth. Date someone totally wrong for you. Say no. Spend all your cash! Fall in love. Get to know someone random. Be random. Say I love you. Sing out loud. Laugh at a stupid joke. Cry. Get revenge. Apologize. Tell someone how much they mean to you. Tell the asshole what you REALLY feel. Let someone know what they’re missing. Laugh til your stomach hurts. LIVE LIFE!
Suddenly, I knew what I had to do.
This is where my Midlife Drive begins.
Please join me for the rest of the ride!
Facebook | Kevin Seney Author of “midlife drive”
