©So I moved. When I wake up and look around or walk in and see the new surroundings, I’m still in shock. I lived at that place longer than anywhere else in my life—including my childhood home so I guess the shock was to be expected. It was a long time coming and I must admit—I learned a lot when I moved…

***

Let go…The day I made up my mind to leave, I started packing everything. Over the next couple of months, you should have seen me. Pots and pans went into boxes, pictures came off walls, drawers were emptied out and the contents were also boxed. Yes, I packed everything. So, when the time came to finally leave, I looked around at all those boxes, called a mover and then I realized…there’s no point in moving if I’m going to take everything with me because for where I was going, those things didn’t fit…so I let go. At certain points in your life, you’ll move in your career, relationships…or a new house. When you do understand that everything…and everybody won’t fit where you’re going…so whatever or whoever it is…let go.

Never let them go…as I packed, I stumbled across a ticket stub from the 1988 movie, “Do the Right Thing”. Man, oh man I remember like it was yesterday me and two of my closest friends sat in a theater in Austin watching that groundbreaking piece of work. After it was over we discussed it over a meal, went out, laughed, joked and did the things college kids do. A few short years later, one of those guys I spent that special day with passed on. As I held that ticket stub I thought back to that time and all the other good times we shared. Sometimes the people who matter the most in life get called to the next one before you’re ready to see them leave. Just because they leave, doesn’t mean they’re gone. So, when you move, be sure to pack them too—not in a box but in a special part of your heart…and never let them go…

One room at a time…this new place fits me better but it’s not much bigger. It’s not much bigger but without many of my old things, I’m essentially starting over. Decorating a house can be fun…but it can also be daunting. Yes, it can be daunting…but I’m taking the advice of my sister. She said, “Don’t get in a hurry, go slow on purpose, enjoy the process and decorate one room at a time. Slowly but surely, it’ll come together”. Decorating a house is a lot like decorating a life…it works better when you slow down and enjoy the process. Planning is great but when you go live on purpose, one day at a time, you’ll be amazed at how slowly but surely your life will come together.

If I were you…before the “for sale” sign went up, only a handful of people knew about my plans. Once the sign went up, what was once a sea of support from family and friends was met with streams of doubt as others began to chime in. One of those others cautioned me about this thing and the other, asking if I knew what I was getting into, if I were sure about this and that, on and on. Then he said those four magic words, “If I were you”. He isn’t me and that’s why what I was doing didn’t make sense to him. When you finally decide to move, there will be people who doubt you, caution you, question you—people who say, “If I were you”. They’re not you and never will be that’s why what you’re doing won’t make sense to them…Thank them for their advice…but keep moving…

Make Mama Proud…The first thing I see when I walk out of my room or walk into my house is a sign that says, “Make Mama Proud”. Each day I strive to do that. Some days I do better than others but each day, I’m trying. I think the world would be a better place if we all lived by that mantra so today do something special and make your mama proud.

Remember the ones who were there…I’m a list guy. That’s right, each day I make a list of things I want to get done. During the 90’s, my sister and I lived together before she transferred for work. With her moving, there were things I’d have to buy, so I made a list. Well, she found the list and wrote me a letter assuring me that she would take care of everything on it. I smiled at her offer; it warmed my heart, but I promised her I could handle it and I did. I found that letter when I was packing. I read it and read it and then read it some more and each time I realized just how much a part of this move she was. If she hadn’t opened her apartment to me when my financial aid fell through, if she hadn’t picked me up from work at 1 in the morning when I didn’t have a car, if dinner wasn’t ready when I came home from class…this move wouldn’t be happening. When you move…remember the ones who were there…they made this possible.

Small victories are victories too…I played a little football in high school…wide receiver was my position. My best game saw me “torch” the Austin Anderson secondary for three catches including a 60-yard touchdown. It was only a scrimmage but hey…I’ll take it! Well, I came across the sweatbands I wore in that game when I was packing. I put them on and thought back to that day. Yes, it was only a scrimmage but for that moment while I had those sweatbands on, I drifted back to that day and remembered how good it felt. In life you win some and you lose some but today, focus on the small victories. A 2-pound weight loss, a pay increase, your teen passing their drivers test. They might be small…but they’re victories too…

***

When you move there are certain things and certain people that can’t go with you and some you should never leave behind. There are some who will doubt you but remember the ones who helped make it all possible. Some days you’ll question yourself but, on those days, remember the small victories. Live one day at a time and be brave enough to answer the call…Don’t just stand there…make your mama proud…

Move…