I wonder how far I would have climbed in my career had I not limped through disability’s door? My goal here is to first be genuine, but at the same time share my true feelings. I hope to have you leave feeling lighter than when you came, because the reality we share can be so hard and heavy.

I know I shouldn’t compare myself to others, but it’s hard to resist. It’s so easy and tempting. I miss the life I had before. Despite this, I know there is a lesson to be learned, I just have to uncover it. I’ve tried my gratitude strategy, but this time it fell short on me. I’m still right where I started.

It never fails every time I find myself in this place I leave dragging my tail. It all started when I got the welcomed chance to visit with old college buddies. We are even planning to do it monthly. As we reminisced I found myself so short of where I envisioned myself to be at this point in my life. And it hurts.

Like my friends, my days are jam packed. Just not with climbing the corporate ladder. Instead I’m signing Medicare cards and writing endless medication lists for swarming doctors. But when I’m not comparing myself to others, I can appreciate that my life does revolve around my two favorite things, my family and writing. I also have the time to enjoy life because I’m not tied down to a 9 to 5. This is the upside of things. The healthier perspective for me to have.

In the meantime, I’ve found the lesson! It’s the same lesson we learned in high school. Don’t compare yourself to others. Their situations are probably worlds away from yours. Plus, if we insist on comparing ourselves, then we most likely resort to selling ourselves short! I was about to.

That’s the ultimate short sale.