You know that “10 year challenge” that everyone was doing?  What was just a silly photo comparison for most people, showing that they look better now (or at least less awkward) hit deeper for me. 

In 2009, I faced the largest failure of my life.  I gave my entire being, soul and mind to the only goal I ever had, and I failed.  It hit me hard, and plagued me ever since. 

But at the beginning of 2019, something clicked for me.  Once I saw this “challenge” in my social media feed, I decided this was the year I was going to break free of all that.  After all, ten years (and over half my adult life) seemed like long enough. 

I had to prove to myself that I could still immerse myself into something and succeed.  That I could achieve my goals.  That I wasn’t a failure.  And, that I wasn’t just “lucky” all those other times before the infamous ’09 campaign.

I had to show myself that the horrible things that happened ten years ago were for a reason.

And so it happened.  In 2019, I started teaching a graduate course in my area of expertise, and continue to mentor my students through my life experiences.  I earned a promotion in my company, which begins in the new year.  And, I created a networking group, to share my passion with those starting out in my profession.

The best part is that I finally feel settled in what feels more like my purpose and life’s calling, and less of a job.  And, in the same field as the 2009 failure.

What could be more “successful” than that?