Time Passes Quickly

I used to hate it when I was a kid and my parents used to say "enjoy the time you have now because it goes by way too fast." I never knew what they meant. When I was told as a kid that I would have to wait a month for something, it felt like a few years. Today, a month seems to go by in just a few days. I have also had the weird experience of looking back and having things seem like they occurred lifetimes ago.

My youngest daughter turned 8 this past weekend and when I think back to when she was born, I can't believe that was 8 years ago. At the same time, I have been through so many ups and downs over these past 8 years that some elements of our life seem like ancient history. I have had success, lost everything in the dot com bubble burst, got divorced, found new success, got remarried and now have a new baby on the way. And lots of craziness in between. Yeah, I guess it does feel like a couple of lifetimes.

Actually, I have learned that it is possible to completely reformulate your life. It's not easy. It takes a bit of internal fortitude, a lot of faith in yourself and in the universe, and it helps to surround yourself with people who love you unconditionally. For some, that's family. For others, it can be friends, partners, mentors or children. Whatever the source, the unconditional love, support and faith is often the difference between homelessness and tremendous success. I've tasted both and I like success much better - but if I ever found myself in the other position, I feel confident that I could remake myself again.

Lost and Found in America has as one of its basic tenets that all it takes to change the world is the simple extension of one's hand to another in need. It's my "Pay it Forward" mission in life. And something to teach my children so they can pass it down to their children. The world looks a little brighter already today. Have a great week. -Brian

-B