Starting the Second Act

When the total disaster that seems imminent never materializes, you take note. You naturally rejoice, but if you’re of the right mind, you immediately set about fixing the things that put you in that situation. And if it’s your nature to do so, you might share the process so that you may help others along the way.

And that, effectively, is why we’re here today.

Quite recently, a giant hand of kindness and generosity grabbed me by the scruff of the neck, pulled me out of the hole I was in, and gave me a much-needed shake.

I was in a very bad place in terms of depression, an incredibly precarious place in terms of finances, in a way that was putting my immigration status at risk. The community came together with such an incredible outpouring of support that I am still in disbelief.

But it must be believed because it was real, and it has called upon me to completely reevaluate the nature of the world in which I live, my place in it, and the communities of which I am part.

Even before this happened, I had been thinking a great deal about major changes I wanted to make in my life. I turned 39 in January and couldn’t deny that I was wasn’t happy and my life hadn’t been going in the right direction for some time.

So I decided it was time to do the work to begin my second act in life. A far better, more successful, and happier act. I was stuck, though. Really, really stuck, right up until that community response shocked me out of my depression and made me see that I do have options and that the things I sincerely want in my life are entirely possible.

I am starting this blog to document the process of engineering that new chapter of my life, but not just the fixing of what’s broken. No, the aim of this is long term, from fixing my finances and getting healthy in the short term, right up through buying a house in the countryside, running my own business, and becoming a father in the long term. This is about the journey from a miserable start to a joyful experience of daily life.

There’s so much to do, so much to write about, and I’m not sure yet how I’m going to organize this or how often I’ll be able to post, but I am looking forward to the journey and I hope you’ll join me along the way.