Have you ever thought about the thin divide that separates us all.  I’m talking about those little differentiators that include our physical and mental health, career opportunities, wealth, social status and life experiences.

In my mind these are the micro nuances that divide the have’s from the have not’s of our society.  And in my estimation sometimes by the sheerest of margins.

Irrespective of where you are in the world we are all living on the edge between living a full and fulfiling life and those barely surviving.

Seemingly this thin divide continues to grow.  Many of our children are no longer able to imagine owning their own home, or having the lifestyle that we’ve been able to create.

My childhood was centered in poverty and I know from first hand experience that nothing is guaranteed, including food and shelter or protection from those looking to take advantage.  I also realized that I had to find a way out of the cycle of poverty that had haunted my family for generations.

My dad instilled upon me an appreciation for hard work and stick-to-it-ivness that would help me navigate across the thin divide.  I realize that in many ways we can create our own good fortune, but you also need some other aspects of our life to fall your way to be able to step across that chasm.

As I think back – how easily it could it be me living on the streets, or stuck in a cycle of poorly paying jobs and scraping to make ends meet.  Pretty darn easy I’d say.

Decisions, circumstance, history, opportunitiy?  Possibly all of the above.

I knew deep down from an early age that I had to escape the perpetual cycle of poverty and create my own destiny.  Although only a teenager at the time I felt suffocated and knew the only way out was by my own means.

My rebellious side chose to stay at school and use education as a way out.  This was met with significant resistance from my family, and characterized as a “bloody waste of time”.  Not many families would actively discourage their kids from staying in school to get an education, but I lived in a far different time and place than where we are today.

Nope, I was taking a different path to cross the thin divide, and although I didn’t know it at the time deep down I knew I would be okay.  Even then I had faith that I could find a way.

That path has been circuitous to say the least, spanning two continents with many different jobs, professions, experiences and adventures over the course of my life.

With each experience I gained a little something to further my journey, and

 

For me it’s never been about the money or title, it’s about the experiences and quality of the life I live and share with Zach and Sami that drive me forward.

I realize that no two people are the same, nor are their motivations or passions but I know that my life is exactly where it’s supposed to be and thank my lucky stars each and every day for the incredibly full and passionate life I get to live.

And although there will be no trust fund for Zach or Sami when I pass on, they will have lived a life full of experiences and adventures, with their passports full of stamps from the places they’ve traveled and a childhood full of great memories, I’m betting that this gift is priceless not only for them, but also for their future families.

I’m very thankful and full of gratitude for the life I have and the friends that surround us!

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,