TIMELINES

Recently, a friend of mine was lamenting that she’s forty, single, etc. Just not thrilled with her life at the moment. And it got me thinking of my own timeline.

Twenty was when I fell asleep every night hoping I wouldn’t wake up. My mother died weeks before my 20th birthday, which triggered my relapse into eating disorder hell. The only reason I didn’t kill myself was because I wouldn’t do that to my father.

Thirty was okay.

Forty was incredible: I starred (and danced!) in a stage show I co-wrote, and we won “Best of Fringe” at the San Francisco Fringe Festival.

Fifty was okay.

Fifty five was incredible: I walked across a stage at the University of Exeter, England, to receive my MA in Anthrozoölogy, graduating “with Distinction.” Earning that degree was the most challenging — and rewarding — achievement of my life.

(I just notice that two highlights of my life were moments when I was on a stage. Need to think about that…)

If you’re not happy where you’re at in life, it’s not because of your age; it’s because of where you’re at. Move away from where you’re at.