I'm 51 today --- and here's where I am

Today, February 11, 2017 is my 51st birthday.  And birthdays (at least for me) are a time to celebrate, assess, plan, ruminate and enjoy.  Mostly, it's a time to enjoy one's freedom - something I have lots of. Ironic is that on this day in 1990, Nelson Mandela, the greatest freedom activist of this era, became free.

So, in assessing where I am today in relation to where I would want to be today, I really am a man in a million  billion  trillion.  Here's why:

1.  I have my health.  By that I mean all my health.  I don't take pills to get up, stay up or sleep.  I don't need pills.  Period. Yes, I do like a drink or two - but it's not anything excessive or that would rule my life.  I drink in social settings as much or as little as the next guy - sure.  And there's nothing wrong with that.  I watch what I eat.  I weigh 175 pounds and workout at least 4 times a week.  You get the picture.

2.  I have a blessed marriage - truly blessed.  Frightening fact: one in two marriages end in divorce.  Really.  I have clients in all stages of marriage dissolution/ divorce and more often than not - the results are simply catastrophic.  Karen and I work on our marriage, have simple understandings and enjoy life's simple pleasures together - and that's the key.  Do we always agree on everything?  Hell no - we're human.  But we are able to work out our differences by communicating.

3.  I have a sense of humor.  This is a biggie.  I am also able to laugh at myself.  Often.  And yes, sometimes I do get frustrated by my frailties.  I lose my keys daily.  And then find them.  I lose my wallet daily.  And then find it.  I lose my mind daily.  And then find it. These things are easily overcome.  The one frailty that continues to bother me is my increasing fear of flying - seriously.  I don't seem to be able to overcome it.  And that bothers me.  A lot.

4.  I have a great family.  I have an awesome brother and sister as well as parents.  We all see eye-to-eye.  I have two great teenage kids (well, OK - our son will be 20 this year) - and I even have a great mother-in-law (how many sons-in-law can say that?)  And over the years, time and time again, my family have stood by me.

5.  I have great friends.  They say you can always judge one by the company they keep.  And if that's any measure, I am the king-of-kings.  I have a wide circle of friends (both guys and girls) whom I adore - and I think the feelings are mutual.  They keep me sane, guided and energized - and when I occasionally step out of line, they slap me back to reality.

6.  I have a great career. As a financial advisor, I am so honored that over 130 families from all walks of life, allow me to serve them with grace, dignity, service excellence and results.  I would not change what I do for anything - it truly is a pleasure.

7.  I have an abundance of everything.  Everything - and for that, I am so grateful.  With that, I am going to sit back, pour myself a glass of wine, listen to some tunes and remind myself of all of my abundances and how much I have to be grateful for.

Peace.  Love, Happiness.