My wife left me about 18 months ago to pursue a relationship with a high school crush of hers after we’d been together for nearly 15 years. Since then, I’ve been really taking stock in where I am in life. Overall, I’m really quite content where I am. I’ve had more than my share of adventure when I was in my 20’s. I lived in Europe for nearly 5 years and I spent 13 months in Iraq when I was in the Army. I started a family and have a great relationship with my two daughters and I spent the last 12 years basically settled down. That said, I’m really happy with the sudden change in my life.

The relationship with my ex was terrible. She was miserable and sometimes downright abusive.

I haven’t worked in 5 years due to severe PTSD, which presents its challenges, but also creates absolute income security for me. Aside from my desire to stay close to my children, I can go and live anywhere in the world I want. I’m extremely fortunate in that physically I’m in great shape and have a many great years ahead of me.

There are a ton of experiences that I wish to have, but I’ve done a lot too. I really want to hike the Appalachian Trail, visit bizarre places like North Korea and Iran and go on a nudist cruise with a girlfriend before she changes her mind!

Oddly enough, and not to gloat too much, I’ve played the piano since I was 8 and took 14 years of lessons. For the last 5 or so years, I’ve been practicing an average of 2 hours a day. It’s a skill that I’m grateful to have and when I play, it gives me a sense of fulfillment and completeness that I can’t describe. (Not to mention it’s often a turn on for some of the ladies too!)

So I’m thankful for what I’ve done and been through, but I’m also hungry to experience more.