Something happened recently and I've been debating whether or not to share it here but it's giving me pause to reflect on my life.
Around 13-ish years ago I was almost homeless. I owed my landlord thousands of dollars and I don't even want to talk about the child support.

2013-2015 sucked.

I'd had 2 years of back to back kidney stones. My 401k was almost gone. I'd gone through a bunch of startups at various levels - learning but not making money.

It's hard to keep a regular job when you fall on the floor screaming and disappear for a couple of weeks every couple of months.

I look at my life now and I'm a homeowner, I have some savings, I'm rebuilding my retirement, I lead an amazing team doing the best work of my career, I just got an expensive (used) vehicle that is VERY comfortable, and overall life is really good right now.
Such a contrast from those times.

All that to say I was made a Kentucky Colonel this month and I just got the certificate signed by the Governor and it hit me that I made a plan and worked hard and got lucky and made it here and I just want to sit with that and enjoy the accomplishment.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kentucky_Colonel

How did I earn this? Well y'all know I'm a chronic volunteer and I've been active in both non-profits and in the entrepreneurial world (as I said, lots of startups) and I've taught classes and spoken all over the state and the country.

I have complicated feelings on this honor.

On one hand: you could frequently get awarded through political favors or other trivial means. On the other there are a long list of people who worked hard and helped the community that earned this award as well.

On the whole I am humbled and proud to be an ambassador for my adopted state.

I apologize if I rambled a bit here; I'm still processing this and reflecting on the various achievements and where I am in life now, where I want to go next, and how I feel about all this.
Also: I definitely updated my work email signature. 😜