Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number

     If this sounds like the kind of thing someone might say when they’re getting old or are too young to date, you’re exactly right.  Yesterday, I officially entered my 40′s, and much to my own surprise, I did not spend the day sitting in my closet rocking back and forth in the fetal position.  In fact, I did just the opposite.  I celebrated!  As it turns out, 40 isn’t nearly as bad as I expected it to be.  Then again, when you’ve had a year like my 39th… any sign of a changing tide is a welcome sight.   

     A lot of you have e-mailed (or berated me openly on our website) over the past 6 months for abandoning my blog.  Frankly, I just haven’t been inspired.  Much of what has happened to me over the past year has either been embarrassing, tragic, or so boring that I didn’t want to waste your time on it.  Much like he Titans, my 2010 season was a character builder, and one that I don’t wish to repeat.

    Over the past 12 months my father died, my 12 year marriage imploded in divorce, I was involved in an accident that removed the skin off both hands and left me incapacitated for a week, mother nature pelted my car with hail to the tune of $3,000, and the dream home I bought to lift my spirits in the aftermath of it all has been broken into… twice.  One more major change, and my mother was going to have me institutionalized.

     Unfortunately, there isn’t enough medication, therapy, self-help material, or liquor in the world to lift your spirits in the face of that kind of back to back human drama; but there is one thing you can cling to in the face of that kind of adversity… and that is your faith.  Somehow, like a Phoenix from the ash, God has fully restored me in mind, body and spirit.  I have emerged a much wiser human being, but those lessons have come at a tremendous cost.

     I’ve decided that the one thing I can do is share those lessons with you guys.  Believe me when I say, it’s a lot more fun learning from someone ELSE’S mistakes.  Each week for the next year, I’ll share one lessons I learned this past year.  For the time being, my blog will be re-named, “Everything I Learned in my 39th year on earth”.  Whatever you’re going through or whatever your faith, I hope you’ll gain some insight from my mistakes and missteps. 

     Below are two of my favorite quotes.  One is a bible verse, and the other can be found in a fortune cookie.  Both are fantastic.

Proverbs 4:6-7

“Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get an understanding.”

Confucius

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest;  Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” 
           
     I hope you’ll join me on this year-long journey.  I promise you there’s lots of humor to be had along the way.  If not, I’ll give you your money back! 

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