Taking stock. Not “stock” as in stocks and bonds and investments. Stock as in inventory.
As many of you know, I turned 50 last week. Which seems weird to me for several reasons, not the least of which is that I’m fortunate enough not to really FEEL 50, whatever that means. I feel about… I don’t know, maybe 35. Seems like a 50 year old should be more… content or something.
I am not content.
I still want more… more travels, more adventure, more love, more growth, more beauty.
More glasses of wine 🍷
So today, in my mind, I’m wandering around the warehouse of my life. Taking inventory. What used to be in this cavernous space that’s not there any more? What more is there to explore? Might there be something up on a high shelf that I haven’t even seen yet?
If you had told me when I was 20 that there were seven marathons in there, I would have told you you were crazy. And a graduate degree. And travels to other countries. But there they were. Pretty sure that marathon shelf is empty now, but I’m ok with that – I went on a 2 mile run this morning, and I’m grateful to still have the knees for it.
There were also some less glorious things – a challenging marriage early on, for instance, and some other less than ideal relationships, close to the front and on low shelves that seemed obvious.
But here’s a thought: what if we have to pull those early things off their lower shelves in order to see what’s behind them? If I had never gotten married at 26 and given it a go, would I have ever found my best friends who were waiting right on the other side of that experience? They might have sat in their section of my warehouse until another lifetime. I might not be sitting at Miraval, a spa in Arizona, right now, celebrating 50 with three of my favorite women on earth.
Would I have the new and surprising and fun and loving relationship I have now? Long time readers will note that I have never in the four years of this blog introduced a Traveling Guy, but stay tuned… 😉
Everything we pull off a shelf reveals something behind it. Time to wander around our warehouses and see what else is there.
Who knows, you may have another job or degree or trip or book to be written up on a shelf somewhere – grab yourself a stepladder and go check.
In love and adventure,
Traveling Girl
Traveling Girl With a Glass 
Love this post, Catherine! So happy you are enjoying your birthday with great friends. And the rest that life has to offer!
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Love the post! I guess I better head into the cabinets and start moving stuff around. I’m sure there are shelves to be dusted. :). Happy Birthday my dear friend!!!!
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This post makes me so happy, Catherine! Thank you for writing it. 50 for me was turning age 0 with 1/2 century of collected experiences bolstering me. Being 1 now, so glad to have your friendship for all of our yet unknown adventures that lie ahead! Happy Birthday! xo
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The warehouse of our lives…love the metaphor! Sounds like you’re having or have had – a fantastic celebration of one of the many milestones of our lives. Enjoy! And enjoy the minutes and hours and days and decades ahead…with whatever adventures they bring. As you say, who knows what’s on that upper shelf or hiding behind some unused whatever on that lower shelf.
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