Had a visit from Tom the Plumber yesterday. I’ve known Tom for years, we were both involved with youth football years ago. He asked me, “How’s it going?” … I had been online with work when he arrived, and I was a bit preoccupied, so I hesitated in my response. After a pause he said “Living the dream, huh?”
Later in the day, I had a long convo with a friend, talking about college loans that he may never be able to completely pay off. I had a less than fulfilling webmeeting with a customer. I had a long father/son chat with my youngest when he got home around 11:00, I finished the day online with our support organization in Bangalore, and a customer in Australia at about 12:30 AM.
There was a time when I would think of the seminal moment in Jack Nicholson’s movie, “As Good As It Gets” where his character, the OCD Melvin Udall, says to a group of depressed patients in the waiting room of his psychiatrist “What if this is as good as it gets?” I used to love that line, especially when I was feeling sorry for myself ….
… but you know what? I AM LIVING THE DREAM.
As I said to my son last night, It IS all about attitude. It is about how you deal with what you can’t control.
Is my job challenging, even overwhelming at times? Hell, yeah!
Are the weeds threatening to take over my lawn? most definitely!
Are the everyday challenges of life and relationships sometimes daunting? sure thing.
Do I get everything right the first time? puh-leeeze!
Does the upstairs toilet still leak? Uh, no (thanks, Tom)
This IS living the dream, gainfully employed, challenged, winning some, losing some, with a loving family, in a great country.
Can’t complain.
– RTR
Real Time Rick 
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