Happy New Year!

Now's a good time to figure out if you are in the place in your life where you want to be and with the people you want to be with.

As for myself, I'm sitting on a sailboat in sunny Florida with my lovely wife. No complaints here.

It was a mixed year for me. My dad passed from cancer so that was rough. At least I was in a position in my life where I could be there for him.

I did have a lot of time to look on-line at sailboats for sale. When dad passed my lovely wife and I checked out a boat and bought it. A month went by before we could get back to it, but I took some comfort in knowing there was a boat waiting for me.

When dad passed it really brought my life in focus. The number of our days are finite. We just don't know the time or the day. Dad didn't live as long as my grandfather did. Dad's father lived on ice-cream, bacon and eggs, cheap whiskey, and cigarettes yet he made it to 87. Dad didn't drink, quit smoking decades ago, and only went to 80. (cancer sucks) A doctor once told me I wouldn't make it to 45. I'm happy to be 57. I feel I've already cheated death.

That being said, my lungs took enough damage from firefighting that they had to retire me. I'm fat and out of condition and haven't seen a doctor in about 16 years. I did promise my kids I'd make an appointment and get a physical when I get back home in the spring.

I'm gaming the odds a bit. Since living on a sailboat I've been eating lighter and getting a lot more exercise. By spring I'll be less fat and more in condition.

One thing for sure. We may not be able to know long we will live, but we can do a lot about how well we live.

New Years is a good time to look back at the past year and see if what you are doing is getting you where you want to be. If it isn't, maybe change is in order.

As for myself, I bought a sailboat.

-Sixbears