What I want for my birthday I already am.

It’s my birthday and I don’t want anything because I already am who I wanted to be.

When you are who you want to be, by definition, you don’t want anything. I don’t need anything, I don’t want anything because I’m already there.

“Need” and “want” seem so small and insignificant in comparison with being who you want to be. Maybe it’s “being an astronaut” but wanting a space helmet. If I’m an astronaut, the space helmet is included in the deal.

Take it back one year.

One year ago today I was with my dad in the cancer ward of the hospital. My mom said, “Some birthday, huh?” Well, actually, it was some birthday. If that was deepest point, then I have shot up like a rocket after slingshotting around a planet’s gravitational pull and I’m going at light speed into the unknown–which is exactly where I want to be heading.

Embrace the uncertainty.

Maybe it’s because I’m who I now am that I’m comfortable with the unknown of the future. No, that’s not quite right. I’m not “comfortable” with it. In fact, I’m not evening “embracing” it. I’m excited about it and want to jump into the void with both feet and see what happens. Oh wait, I’ve already done that. I’m there.

I miss you, dad. Yet, somehow you’re here with me today more than you’ve ever been. I think you’ve given me a rocket booster that’s propelled me into the future to land on where I am today. I’m not sure I could be happier today. But the best part? I feel like I’m just getting started. I’m in kindergarten and everything is new, exciting and all mine.

We’re moving to Europe, I dissolved my corporation, I’m writing like someone possessed, I’m creating things with my kids, I’m not sure I’ve ever had this much fun and I have the biggest smile on my face.

Maybe this is my first birthday. Maybe today I am one year old. If so, then I have a lifetime ahead of me. This is going to be so much fun.