On Top of the World

I want to share a personal reflection with you today.

Earlier today, I was watching one of my favorite new shows, Daisy Jones and the Six. It was episode seven, and there was a scene in it where record producer Teddy Price is in the hospital after suffering a heart attack. He is visited by Billy Dunne, who is the frontman for the Six. In the scene, the doctor tells Teddy that he needs to change things. Cut out the smoking, the drinking, the drugs, red meat, etc. After he leaves, Billy gets emotional and tells Teddy he doesn’t know what he would do if he died. He then starts to ask Teddy, “if it doesn’t change” when Teddy cuts him off and replies, “then I go out on top of the world.”

That line resonated with me, and I smiled as I thought to myself…me too. It took a long time in my life, but a few years ago I realized that I too was on top of the world. I took stock of what I have in this world…a loving wife and a strong marriage, two beautiful and talented daughters who are independent and ready to take on the world and everything in it, and good friends who I love spending time with and that will be there whenever the need arises. I have a job that values my particular set of skills and still presents enough challenges to keep it interesting day in and day out.

I realized that I don’t have to chase after bigger and better. I enjoy simple things in life like tending to the garden, grilling a piece of meat, sitting on my porch watching the sun rise and set, and listening to music.

For years, I wanted new cars, fancy clothes, a big house, and all of the other things that the entertainment world makes you yearn for. But I was so busy chasing those things that I never realized that I already had everything it took to make me happy. I didn’t need to keep chasing “the American Dream”…I had already caught it.

A preacher by the name of Frank Branson once said that if you can’t find some happiness where you’re at in life, you’re never going to find it anywhere. Hearing that for the first time was what helped turn my attitude in life around and set me on the road to where I am now. These days I find happiness all around me. It’s in the cool breeze that blows across the porch as I sit with my head back and my eyes closed. It’s in that hot cup of coffee in my hand as I watch the sunrise. It’s in that “good job” I hear from my boss at work. It’s in hearing the laughter from my friends sitting around the poker table. It’s in the smile on my wife’s face when she sees me come through the door at home after a day at work. It’s in that hug from my daughters just before bed. It’s all around me.

Take stock of your life and all of the things in it. Think about all of the things that make you happy. Not just the big things, but the little things as well. When you get to looking around at all of the good things in your life, you might realize that you’re on top of the world too.

- Mick