On the eve of my 35th birthday...
So, I’m about to turn 35 and reflecting on the past experiences that have brought my life to where it is at the age of 35. Some might say 35 is a milestone, while others may not. Nevertheless, it is still a moment to sit back and reflect as a means of checking myself to ensure I am on the path of progress. On the eve of my 15 th birthday I was dreading that I had to go to summer school and not spend the time I wanted enjoying the summer the way I wanted. I failed and looked at myself as a failure. However, this was a humbling moment as it taught me to prioritize what was important over what was not. You could say it was a moment that forced me to level up during my teenage years. It wasn’t easy, but I learned a lot about myself, gained a unique perspective, and understood that there are no shortcuts in life. On the eve of my 25 th birthday, after a brief soiree in the Army, I completed my undergraduate degree and was preparing for graduate school, but was dealing with