I got a text message the other day from a number I didn’t recognize.  All it said was:

Who R U?

I didn’t respond, of course.  As Admiral Akbar said, “It’s a trap!”  The sender was either confused/wrong or it was some kind of scam.  Either way, not worthy of a response.

But, it got me thinking as I near my next birthday. As I write this, I’m about 7 hours away from being 46.

Which, like most things I give any thought to, seems weird to me. Seems like a long time, but I don’t really feel like I’ve been around that long.

I try to take a zen approach to my days.  Learning from the past, but not dwelling on it.  Planning for the future, but not worrying about it.  I try to be in the moment and instead of some kind of “Anthony, this is your life!” or “What do I want to be when I grow up,” my thoughts tonight instead go to the small circle of the days around me.

Yesterday was a busy day at work and I felt like I was being pullied in a hundred directions.  But, I also got to swim after work and that mile in the pool washed all of the day away. I had a good burrito for dinner and went to Dick’s sporting goods for goggles.  Watched a new tv show and got a good night’s sleep.

I slept in today and then spent the day reading a great book and playing video games. This afternoon I went to the Art Museum.  My family was supposed to visit today, but the weather precluded that travel. I got to have dinner with Jim and his family since they are local and from there we went to World Market.  I had a coupon for my birthday and got a calendar and some chocolate.

Tomorrow will be another quiet day, I hope.  And then back to work on Monday to the first day of classes for the semester.

It’s not a huge or dramatic life, but it’s me.  A little art, the easy repetition of laps in a pool, good books, and warm friendship.   

My shoulders can be leaned on.  My heart has plenty of room. And with my feet planted, I can feel the earth turn under me.

That’s a lot of introspection from a random text  – and I think enough for tonight. I’ve got other stories to tell, but they can wait for another day.