Aging & Single "Decisions" The Price of Being Alone

By: Kenneth Stepp

Decisions. I’ve had to make so many this last year. I used to be able to bounce things off my wife. Having another brain involved in the bigger ones was nice. Reassuring even. I remember having her interview the girls that applied to be my assistant once. It made sense to me that she should know who I am spending my days with. Kind of a full disclosure thing that backfired on me. She approved of the girl I most wanted. About a month after she began, my wife and I were talking. You know, I said, She is doing a stellar job for me. Thanks for helping me with my choice. My wife replied. “Here breasts are huge”. Amazingly. I had never noticed. But for the remainder of her career with me, that was almost all I noticed.

Today, I had to make a decision about my future. A media company offered me the top spot in their company. CEO. Percentage and all. It’s an online news company, very much like Patch. They will be launching five cities in Georgia in the next four weeks. I’ve been “on my own” for the last two decades plus. This will be new. Building a team, leading a team, and aggressively going after market share. Honestly, right up my alley. I have been working on my letter of acceptance. I turned it in an hour or so ago. No one to tell. No fan fare. Just a decision. I loved having a partner at times like this. My marriage wasn’t perfect. But her opinion was the only one on Earth that mattered to me. I have close friends and people in my life now. It’s not the same. Funny what you miss when you are alone. Asking someone’s opinion wasn’t on my radar at all. But, there have been many surprises on this journey.

I will not allow this to be whiny. This isn’t a downer or a complaint. Just something I noticed. I have news. No one I care to tell it to though. Why is that? Yet another question I will process to death and never find an answer. My life has become an exciting one though. I travel to historic cities and towns. I learn the history. I learn the back-stories. Some even roll out the red carpet as if I was someone special. I eat local. I meet the most amazing people. I even sample some local breweries wares too. My life rocks!

I’m back atg my home office now. Just a time of reflection for me. I am truly blessed beyond measure. I know so many right now that have little or nothing. I would be embarrassed to show them my home. It isn’t that God loves me more than them. To me it just seems to be chance. I certainly haven’t been any better than them, haven’t made better decisions at all. Although, I was better equipped for the latter when I was married. mostly because two heads really are better than one. I’m sure it was Einstein that said that one. Call it fate, chance, or even kismet. I just believe myself to be a lucky man. Here is one of my favorite quotes about luck. It has always reminded me of myself. At the end of the day. We need to be able to sell ourselves.

“People often remark that I'm pretty lucky. Luck is only important in so far as getting the chance to sell yourself at the right moment. After that, you've got to have talent and know how to use it.”

Frank Sinatra

I believe old Frankie knew something many hasn’t figured out yet. Luck is everywhere. Some good, some bad. I’m told we make our own luck. I’m going with Frank. We probably all have the same amount. Our response and preparation is the difference. Stay logical friends.

k@kstepp.com

Founder, American Angel Works