My Thrive Line

Our small group from church started a new study today called "ID".   As part of the first session, we had to create a "Thrive Line".  Basically, it is a timeline of my life, including all the highs and lows based on my definition of thriving.  So, first off, I had to create my definition of thriving.

Thriving:  To live a full and healthy life with family and friends.

Some of the highs of my life;

• Outward Bound which took my passion for the outdoors to a new level, and gave me my first opportunities at leadership.
• Meeting my wife in college
• Going to Fiji which sparked my love for travel.
• Moving to Florida
• Getting my first teaching job.
• Getting Married.
• Starting to attend our church and small group.
• Getting my Master's Degree and my new job.
• Too many vacations to list here.
• Getting two liver transplants

The Lows

• A friend dying in a car accident after high school.
• Being diagnosed with PSC for the first time
• My wife being diagnosed with cancer for the second time.
• The two surgeries my wife had to have.
• Having to have colon surgery and having the recovery go terribly wrong.
• Being diagnosed with PSC for the second time.

This was a very interesting activity to do.  The highs are very high, and the lows have been very low.  Overall though, I would say that I have had a great life.  Despite all the lows, and there have been plenty, the point I am at right now is probably as high as I have ever been.  I feel that at this point, I am thriving more than I ever have before.  No, life is not perfect.  No we do not have everything we want.  But, yes we are happy.  We are very happy.