The Power and Peril of Milestones

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This week we take a brief look at milestones, what they are and some huge ones that have hit in my house this week.

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Episode Transcript

Unknown (00:06):
Hello there friends, both old new welcome to strive
seek fine podcast, I'm your hostchance with called a bite size
lifestyle advice from a fellowtraveler on the road to a better
life. Brought to you by longtimeeducator, brighter parent, and
outdoor enthusiast, you may justmay like a good DRAM, because

(00:31):
our future is set, not justthrough our choices, but our
willingness to explore and finda better way. It was a busy
week, back to work after theholidays, everyone in the family
hit the ground running. It'smostly been a blur, mixed with
lack of sleep, and generallyjust trying to remember how to

(00:56):
do things efficiently. When Igot to the end of it, I realized
some pretty big things hadhappened in a very short period
of time. Which, of course,brings me to the concept of
milestones. What's the origin ofthe term? And what milestones
did we hit this week? Come alongand find out. The origin of

(01:18):
milestone is really, reallysimple at its heart, just a mile
marker, just like we see alongroads. And according to the
website, Wonderopolis.
Conceptually, it dates back tothe globalists that the Romans,
of course it was the Romanswould line the roads with to let
travelers know how far they'dcome. And in my head right now,
I just have this image of RomanHighway Patrol asking someone on

(01:42):
their Nokia brick, which milemarker they buy. And, like we
are a species love to do. Wetook practical distant markers,
and began to apply it to ourlives. Somewhere along the line.
Long before any of us were born.
Milestone came to mean any sortof important development in our

(02:05):
own personal history. And sinceI have kids of a younger age, I
got used to hearing the termdevelopmental milestone, and
worrying if they were on trackat all times, like parents do.
That's definitely not the timeof life, or the milestone that

(02:26):
we are living in as a familyanymore. Instead, I'm watching
the increasing number of coworkers and friends walking
successfully into retirementhaving reached their work
milestone and moved into a nextphase of life. Watching friends
children, hit the milestones ofhigh school and college

(02:47):
graduation, and starting theirown lives. And for my family
this week, it was literally backto back to back milestones, a
milestone Palooza so to speak.
And know if you're curious, Ihaven't found a way to suddenly
retire. Instead, I did somethingelse to make me feel a little
bit older. I took my oldest tothe DMV this week, and walked

(03:11):
her through the milestone ofgetting her learner's permit for
her an exciting step down theroad to independence for me, and
embodying sense of terror. Butwith pride, because of the grace
and responsibility she has shownby working to make sure she was
prepared for this experience. Itwas a milestone that served as a

(03:34):
conversation starter. As wetalked about not just driving,
but responsibility at the otherfar end of the scale. This same
weekend, my youngest, celebratedturning six. And as I record
this, her birthday is actuallytomorrow morning. And let me add
in this case, with all the pissand vinegar that means and

(03:58):
fathers of girls, especially thegirl who is the youngest, will
understand what I mean. Andtomorrow morning, my mother
steps on a plane out of thecountry for the first time in
her life. It's a huge milestonefor someone who gave up so much
craziness. And finally, I hit amilestone of my own. And I

(04:20):
loathe to admit it, but I hitthe big five oh, with all that
means. My first invite to AARP,and I'll admit that one hurt a
lot. Starting a new trip or outin the sun is always good. And
well life doesn't feel anydifferent. Things move forward

(04:41):
at the same rate. I'm still acaring, if honor a person or at
least that's what it reads on mybusiness card. This milestone
was just a little bit depressingfor me, in part because it felt
a bit like the beginning of theend. rather than the end of the
beginning, and I do realize thisis more of me getting in my own

(05:05):
head than anything factual,while the days leading up to it
felt like a low grade, impendingdoom. The reality of it is, my
problem was more with mindsetthan mile stone. That fact is, a
milestone is exactly what youmake of it. I am blessed to have

(05:26):
a family that loves me. Friendswho rally around and support me.
And just having the visiblereminders of that this week was
good enough to wipe worry anddepression away from this
milestone and remind me how goodlife is. And that was awesome.
Just quick programming note, Ihave a major technology upgrade

(05:49):
coming that I'm excited toshare. I'm hoping to have it by
the end of this week. And once Ihave it in hand, I'll share what
it is. Well friends. That's itfor this week's episode of
strife seek find. If you'd liketo help support the show, please
suggest the podcast to yourfriends or leave a review on

(06:09):
your favorite podcast. If you'drather show a little financial
support, I have a buy me acoffee setup 100% of it goes
towards purchasing materialsthat will keep the podcast
moving forward both in the formof research and materials and
more technological upgrades. Andof course, thanks again for

(06:30):
listening. Until next time, I'mchance Whitworth keep seeking
your own brilliant future