And now I've hit 70, threescore and ten. Bottom line: I am grateful. Grateful for family, friends, my craft, experiences, and good fortune. If I appear self confident to others, I'd suggest it's closer to the truth to say I understand my limitations and have learned to accept them. I don't have what some others have, but I have cobbled together my own unique possessions, and in balance I find myself in the black.
So what is life? Opportunity, a blessing, experience, mistakes, people. Knowledge and good judgement compound like interest over time. And what is life not? A competition, something to be feared, resented, conquered, or escaped from.
People are much more alike than they are different, and they all have their story. Winning and losing is less important than chosing what to fight for. Who you choose to surround yourself with has a lot to do with who you become. In my darkest days I learned that the antidote to self loathing and crippling doubt is to practice persistent kindness to others. Everything requires effort, and everything reveals itself under observation. A sense of humor is the clearest indication of character. And like the song says, the greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return.