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No, not really a second life.

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But I’m typing this out about two hours before I turn 50.

You know how you have those moments in your life you can kinda sorta imagine, but they’re so far in the future, it’s hard to really know?

This birthday is one of them for me.

So was turning 40.

So was getting married. So was having kids.

And I suppose turning 60, and having grandkids will be similar.

And some other less pleasant ones as well.

But here it is…two hours from the half century mark.

It’s been a pretty remarkable year. Far and away the most successful year in business Diane and I have had as a couple, and I’ve had as an individual.

Part of the reason for that is learning some new skills and creating some stuff that people want.

Most of the reason is I’ve never lost sight of this fact…

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I am in business to serve.

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Not to line my own pockets.

To serve.

And in the process of serving, the receiving comes naturally…so long as we’re willing to let it in.

So yeah, I wondered what turning 50 would be like.

And I’m sure it’s different for every person.

Turns out, so far it’s a whole lot of fun!

Yeah, the celebration part was amazing. Lunch at Le Bernadin in NYC, which has been a fantasy of mine for years.

And lots more “stuff” over the next few days.

And of course lots of birthday wishes from friends.

And two daughters who love and honor their dad, even if they refer to him as “old” an awful lot.

Two parents in good health who get to watch their “boy” hit the half century mark. I am not taking that for granted. Not for a second.

A second life. One that blends seamlessly into the first.

A hundred thousand mistakes. And I’m still around to tell the tale.

Humor. Grace. Forgiveness.

For others. And for myself.

Dissatisfaction with the parts that don’t work, and a desire to make them better.

And if you think that’s nothing, look around at the people who’ve given up…who are phoning their lives in instead of living them.

Maturity. At least I think so!

Because in many respects, I still see the world like a kid.

But I see some of the landmines coming ahead of time, partially because I’ve already stepped on them.

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We get better. We get stronger.

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And yes, we decline. It’s inevitable.

But when we do it right, we keep our dignity and our peace along the way.

Over the next few days I’ll be mapping out what I’d like my second life to look and feel like.

Because I figured out along the way…that’s one of the most important steps in making things happen…

Knowing what you want them to be.

You can wait for a special life occasion to start your second life.

Or you can start today. Now.

Hey, we can do it together.

Either way, thanks for keeping me company on this part of the journey.

I’ll be rolling out more stuff, and partnering with some amazing people in my fifties.

You’re invited.