The Real Me is one of my many favorite songs from The Who. It made me think about who the real me is. Nobody knows the real me. The real me is a bunch of mixed-up voices swirling about my noggin all trying to take control of aspects of my life.

And what a life it has been. One of many joys and trials along the way. One that continues to find new loves, passions, and perspectives on living. One blessed with some great friends and family who have guided and supported me laughed with and at me, loved and grieved together.

At the same time, life has left me saddened, disappointed, dismissed, scarred, hurt, and changed—periods without hope and joy. And I guess that is true for most of us. Life throws us all some pretty good challenges from time to time and sometimes over an entire lifetime.

I feel I’ve developed this internal space that I try my best to shield myself from those negative emotions or disappointments. To find some sense of joy or respect or love that will allow me to keep putting one foot in front of the other. I had to do that to survive, it wasn’t healthy to have that anger, angst, and disappointment inside.

A good friend reminds me often of the quote “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” I find myself evaluating reality more now instead of my hopes or wishes. Sometimes I find some hard information and truths.

As I’ve gotten older the time to hope for change fades. Things are what they are. And I am who I am, which is probably part of the issue. So some changes are in progress and I’m starting to get to a more comfortable spot.

Time and what I do with it now each day is what matters. As the quote at the top of my To Do List reminds me “Make the rest of your life, the best of your life.”

So here is to a good Thursday ahead.