40 Things… Because Hell, I’ve Hit 40

Lost In The Algorithms — Odyssey # 68

Fuck, this seems weird. Deep in prep, I almost forgot I was the big 40. This year, it was different in every aspect. Stronger, lighter, sharper, and more focused. I didn’t get to start the day in the woods with a coffee in hand, but I did start the day with some strong feelings.

Yeah, those things suck, but they do tell you things. As my daughter finds more gray hairs and wrinkles, I reflect on my life.

This has been an important year… let’s break it down.

1- Find Something To Fight For- It takes a different breed of human to become a Marine. Every time life knocks me down, the Marine in me says, “Not today.”And that’s something I’ll always take with me.

2. Loss is a Teacher: Losing my best friend in combat ripped out part of my soul, but it also taught me the real value of the time we have.

3. Write to Heal: Every page I’ve written has been a step toward mending myself. Words are both the bandage and the balm. So you might as well document your journey.

4. Adapting is surviving. Change is the only constant in life, and I’ve learned to dance with it.

5. Depression is a sneaky bastard and a way of telling you something needs to change. Facing…