My birthday is Monday.
Every time my birthday is approaching, I often think about my friends that didn’t make it beyond 21. I think about them and everything they’ve missed and lost and I think about my life and what I’m doing with it. Am I living every day to the fullest? Am I making the most of the time I’m given? Could I be doing more?
In some ways, I think I’m in a good spot. I have a family, I’m a very involved father, I have a house with a yard. I even have a website and write books. I wish I could save more money, but then would I be enjoying life?
For the most part, I think they’d be proud of me and they’d say that I’ve tried to make the most of my opportunities. But they’d be shocked at my appearance.
I’m fat.
Yes, I’m a big guy with a big structure. Yes, I’m fairly active in that I take walks and play with my kid and chase her around. And yes, I’ve been told I look like I weigh less than I do, I wear it well, and all that crap, but I’m severely overweight. I have a gut and a fat neck and no chin. It’s time to get serious. I’m now closer to 40 than 30. I have to turn this around. I don’t want to have to worry about my health when my kid(s) is still young.
Besides, I want to live, not to 150, but to a reasonable age. After all, what good is putting 15% away for retirement if you’re going to die at 55?
Time to do some push ups.
Here’s what I wrote this week:
- Requiem for the Hip-Hop Soundtrack [The Musical Outcast]
“It takes a long time to become young.”
– Pablo Picasso
Christopher Pierznik’s eight books are available in paperback and Kindle. His work has appeared on XXL, Cuepoint, Business Insider, The Cauldron, Medium, and many more. Subscribe to his monthly reading review newsletter or follow him on Facebook or Twitter.
The Passion of Christopher Pierznik 