Still a long way to go

Well this is it, tomorrow when I wake up, I’ll be 25 years old, an age that has been a personal marker for me for the longest time, all the way back to the 9th grade when I started joking that I was going to live fast and dangerously, and die by 25. A quarter century is a long time, and I’ve done a lot.

Looking back, I’ve learned how to fly gliders, then airplanes. I’ve gone through three cars in seven years, and three jobs lasting at least two years each, on my fourth, the second in what is proving to be a career. I finished writing two novels, and while they may never get published, the satisfaction of writing a story that spans almost a thousand pages is immense. On a whim, I went out and learned how to drive a motorcycle. I’ve now had two apartments, and moved out more than two and a half years ago. Lastly, I’ve kept in touch with many good friends, turning the whole province into one big town as we spread out. Through parties and BBQs, things have been fun.

Did I live fast and dangerously and die out? I guess not. You could argue that he planes and motorcycle are riskier than most, in fact I have friends that scared of the entire concept, and others that I suspect are and are unwilling to admit it. But those hobbies are hardly jumping through rings of fire or anything like that.

I still have an awful lot to do though. I feel that my next priority should be my relationships, both with my circle of friends now, and new people. I’ve spent too much of my time in the last 7 years building up my career and material possessions, it’s time for to work on social interaction. I also want to advance up the pike in my field, maybe even get to a management level someday. Do I feel a little older? Yes, I suppose. 25 is not 18, and it’s amazing how quickly life has been moving by since the end of high school. Do I feel old? Not yet, I’m glad to say.

But perhaps there’s some truth to my statement back in high school after all. Am I the same kid that looked in the mirror every morning back in 1998? Not really – it would be hard pressed to say that anyone is the same after that much time has passed. Maybe that’s part of getting older, constantly reinventing oneself as life changes.