Being "With It"

I noticed today that I'm one month away from my 30th birthday.  The age isn't scary and I've earned each year, but there are things I want to be different (and there always will be).  I naively expected that I would have my career figured out and be an elegant, "with it" woman by the age of 30.  My life would be filled with friends, interesting hobbies, travel, order, style, learning opportunities (perhaps a graduate degree), and maybe a romantic relationship.

Part of that vision was getting my weight down.  I've been overweight to some extent for 22 years, and while I know that the surgery alone will not get me to my "ideal" weight, I now have a powerful tool and access to experts in this area.  Now that the first big step has been taken, it's up to me to take the many little steps that will be part of  the rest of my life.  I saw a quote from a post-op patient the other day on Facebook - "They gave you "the tool" now you got to play by the rule!!!!".  It's true.  For anything and anyone, if you want it, you have to work towards it each day - a language, a relationship, fitness, etc.

Some of my goals are in pretty good shape; I have many wonderful friends, have visited some incredible places, and have kept educating myself through books, magazines, podcasts, and more.  I've also made some big decisions that have brought me closer to becoming the woman that I want to be: moving to Boston, making a career change and this surgery.  Each of these steps brings me a little closer and they are shaping my character in the process.  What's the point of being "with it" if you are boring or a jerk?

At the end of the day, an age is not a deadline - it's just a marker along the road.  I can look back on the years I've completed, celebrate the achievements and remember the lessons.  Even the past 12 months have brought more change that I would have expected.  It's also an opportunity to look forward to the future and make some plans, but with the knowledge that there are things beyond my control.  As long as I enjoy my life, learn, remain open to change, and love those around me, I'd say that's pretty "with it".