I am not one to overstate the passing of time. We are each given the same number of hours in day. What we choose to do with that time is up to us. I find if you choose to use it wisely and fill your days with opportunities that unlock your creativity, tap into your passion, and connect you with your fellow human beings then it may seem like life is flying by at an unbelievable rate. In reality, time is a constant. For over 13 billion years, it has moved at the same pace.  

My five years in Seattle has been wholly focused on using my time wisely, making the most of opportunities presented to me, discovering my passion, and connecting with my fellow man from all walks of life. With the passage of time, I can now look in the rear view mirror with a sense of pride. I am proud of who I was when I arrived here. I am proud of who I have become. I am overwhelmed by the mixture of failures and successes, as well as the lessons learned from both. I am in love with the people I’ve met and those who continue to stand by my side. On more than one occasion, they have acted like an adopted family and made me feel like the luckiest man in the world. I try desperately to find humility when the mirror is focused on me and I am allowed to analyze who I am five years later. I am everything I have ever wanted to be and I clearly see a course before me directing me in the way I am to go. That is a powerful sentence to type when you are 32 years old.

I am in love. I am learning to share my life. I am preparing myself to one day direct a nonprofit. I am connecting deeply with my community. I am leading others. I am allowing myself to follow. I am inspired.

Does one have to move across the country or to the other side of the globe to make these things happen for themselves? More than likely, no. But if you’ve followed my story for a little while now, I hope you will allow yourself space for that opportunity. I hope you make the most of the time you have here on earth. One of the most profound lessons learned in the past five years is focused on the brevity of time. We are not promised tomorrow. Illness and accidents happen to the best of us. My dream for anyone who stumbles across this post is simple; don’t live a life you will someday regret. If you have the opportunity to one day lay on your death bed consumed with reflection, I hope you do so with a sense of joy, not regret.

No matter your age, the time to make a change is now. I hope my life can be a north star guiding you down your own path. I hope it is symbolic of the power of change and the healing nature of time. As always, if you need a cheering section I am here for you.

Be good to each other,

-Nathan