I enjoy reading about happiness. And since I've made it to 26 and I still like who I am, I'm pretty happy. I love reading about what makes people happy and how they stay that way. Why are some people apathetic about some things, while those same things might make someone else overjoyed?
I recently looked at the Ted Talk by Sam Berns, a teenager who was diagnosed with Progeria, a disease that causes advanced aging. Sam recently died due to complications from the disease. Here is a kid who had every reason to be unhappy with the world, yet he found happiness. The talk is worth your time:
I especially liked Sam's note to "surround yourself with people of high quality." If there is anything I am especially proud of, it's just that. I consider myself so blessed to have so many high quality people in my life.
I want to thank a few that have made my 25th year especially memorable:
- Alex and Andy: Thank you guys for being fun people to hang out with. Doing the radio show this summer was definitely a highlight of my year. I'm excited to call you both colleagues (hopefully sooner than later.)
- DJB: Thank you for being a teacher, a big brother, and a friend. I've leaned a ton from you this year at IB. I admire your outlook and attitude towards life.
- Kiley and Everyone at NIS: Thank you for being a great mentor for these past two years with NIS. It's been a wild ride and I'm so glad to be aboard. It was a pleasure meeting so many of you this year.
- M.B.: Thank you for being so nice to me when I started out at Improv Boston. And thank you for being a great teacher and having a positive attitude towards everything.
- Jack & Chelsea: Thank you for being such a fun couple to hang out with. I love our stimulating conversations, karaoke sessions, and Minnesota accent sessions over quality malty beverages.
- Paul, Bruce, Lara and the rest of the McLeod clan: Thank you for adopting me into the family. I can't thank you enough for your hospitality and thoughtfulness.
- Joyce and Kelly: Thank you for being great bosses and mentors. I've learned a lot from both of you.
- All my classmates at BU: Thank you for being a driven, and entertaining group. You all push me to do my best.
- Caitlin: Thank you for pushing me to take a class at IB. It literally changed my life and I accomplished numerous goals because of that.
-Srilatha: Thank you for being my comedy sister. It's been so fantastic seeing you develop as a performer.
- The IB Community: Thank you for being such a positive and welcoming community. I love being around such fun and hilarious people. You are a big reason why I decided to stay in Boston.
- The WHY-SKYS and their Better Halves: Thank you for being the best friends anyone can ask for. I respect and admire all of you.
- Chris: Thank you for being a brother that keeps life interesting. Thank you for teaching me about loyalty in ways I could have never imagined. I hope to learn more from you as we get older.
- To My Parents: It's never easy for kids to give credit to the parents. After 26 years, I've started to realize how much you have done behind the scenes for me and I can't begin to thank you enough. You are wonderful and I love you both.
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And thank you all to have done simple things for me, whether it was checking in, having coffee, or just being friendly to me. Those tiny moments mean a lot to me.
Well, here's to 26 years more....
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