It’s taken me the last couple of years to come to terms with my 50th birthday milestone. With the help of my last love, who pushed me and sometimes aggravated me to accept my age, not to mention thinking about how soon I can retire, I’ve decided to accept my age openly and even enthusiastically. But like other age milestones, I’ve not felt like I’ve accomplished what a person should have achieved by then. I didn’t have a grading rubric or anything but come to think of it, I probably should have one moving forward. I should plan now for what I want to do for the 2nd 50. I’ve never had a real plan before so maybe that’s why I feel like there is a void (I didn’t want to say failure).

So what have I done?

I’ve married and have divorced (sigh),

I have run 2 marathons, and one half marathon,

I’ve travelled a bit – gone to Morocco, New Zealand, Portugal, France, Italy, Spain, England, Peru, Viet Nam, Thailand, Japan, China, Canada, South Korea, Ireland, Iceland,

Backpacked by bushwhacking through Denali National park,

Kayaked among otters in Alaska and in Milford Sound, New Zealand,

Meditated on the rocks in Laguna Beach with dolphins in the background,

Been pickpocketed in Barcelona,

Graduated college and obtained a masters degree,

Started a blog (that no one reads ;-), and

Fallen in love.

What do I want to do next?

Write a book,

Buy a house with a view of the beach, an apartment in NYC,

Meet and get (and stay) married to the love of my life,

Make a positive difference in the life of others,

Build a loving relationship with Justin,

Travel to Bhutan, Australia, Singapore, Shanghai, Croatia, Sardinia, Greece, Budapest,

Get a doctorate in psychology and help repair families and help individuals find fulfillment and their place in the world.