When I reach this goal, then I'll allow myself to enjoy life.

When I have saved up this much money, when I've moved to a better location, when I lose 50 pounds, when I get married, when I get more fit…

We put things off until "when…"

I've generally not been a person to do that. I am pretty action-oriented. I put my stuff in storage and traveled extensively over the past five years. Some people thought I should wait until retirement, but I opted instead to do it immediately.

And I'm so glad that I did.

The thing about "when" is that it may never arrive. We're only allotted a certain number of days on this glorious orb, and we have no idea what lies ahead. It's essential to make the most of your life right now, regardless of your circumstances, or you might just end your time here stuck in that holding pattern.

Some background
If you've been reading this blog and getting my newsletters for a while, you know that I suffered a pretty severe injury almost two years ago. I injured my ankle, but I didn't think it was that bad. I kept traveling and exploring, and I have absolutely no regrets. I saw a physical therapist and began to improve, only to finally suffer such a setback that I had to cease my travels and come home to (I thought) recover.

Now, what follows is not meant as a plea for sympathy or a whine-fest. I feel that it is the necessary background, and I'm presenting it as factually as possible.

I saw a specialist as soon as I returned home. This was just over a year ago. He did some treatments and insisted on very limited activity. When I first began seeing the doctor, I could walk a mile or so without tremendous pain, but as treatments began and failed, it got so bad I could barely hobble to the mailbox at the curb.