An article posted today online stated that three in ten twenty somethings live at home. It began with "A weak economy and high debt levels are prompting more young adults to return to the family nest...Perhaps surprisingly, most are happy with their living arrangements."
This comes the week that I've been waiting to hear back about a job that in both interviews seemed like was going to be the foundation of my next leg of my mountain I would climb, but to my luck I made it all the way to the top of the short list only to hear "we're not going to hire anyone at this time," which is a change from the "we decided to go with the other candidate."
I live at home. I began preparing myself to move out and now I'm stuck. For how long, I do not know. The important thing I should share is that I am a stay at home son. Yeah, I owe it to my Mom, I am here only flesh and blood. I couldn't see her be hurt to see me again. I actually pride myself on the fact that I live in a four bedroom bachelor pad with an in-law suite that my folks happen to live in.
Fifty years ago it was common for twenty somethings to move back home until marriage and many times family lived together, nearby in the same city or even on the same block. So it's not embarrassing to live at home, a kick to the ego, but hey, what ya gonna do.
I took a ride around town tonight - there's nothing like a night ride on the bike. Cycling through the historic district - and it was such a beautiful clear night. Jupiter and Mars shined bright. The crisp spring air kept it refreshing and the roads, for the most part, were empty. My iPod sang into my ear as I enjoyed such a refreshing break from the brutal realities of life. The realities we all struggle with, like complaining about the cards we're dealt, attempting to fathom future endeavors and worrying about the mountains we are faced to climb.
While I sat on a park bench in the center of town, just a few feet from the Gazebo I spoke to my spiritual director on the phone. The one who gave me the advice months ago about only worrying about the three seconds in front of you, as that's all you can control. With my feet up on the bike seat, resting comfortably on the cold steal of the bench I took in the sights of the night's festivities as I got more pearls of wisdom that have helped me to refocus my attention towards my journey.
"Focus only on the next three seconds," he said to me. "With everything going on in life and all the uncertainties, that's all you can do, especially now."
"It's not that I'm scared," I began. "But I am worried about the future, especially having to start from scratch with my job leads, yet I'm not scared of what's to come. Not one bit. I'm livin'. I'm meeting new people. Finding ways to stay involved and make a difference. I'm always seeking out adventures and new mountains to climb. As long as I focus on the next three seconds, I can't lose."
As I rode home I pondered our conversation. A friend earlier today tried to give me a pep talk about recent developments in my job search. She said "God has a plan for me and there's a reason for me to still be here..." even after going out to Maine.
The funny thing...As I turned on to my street I noticed something. With the night upon us, and the lights off by most of the neighborhood, the street lamps made it look like a runway at the airport. The bright street lights twinkling among the dark doubtfulness of the night welcomed me on my descent home. Guiding me in, like a plan about to land.
No matter where you are in our own lives, in your own journey and what section of the trail we're on, there will always be home calling for us. For what reason, we won't know. but the lights of the street will illuminate the way and guide you in on your final descent. That where ever we are, we will always feel, at some point, that a part of us wants to be home, for whatever reason. It could be the only means to survive, because you need "me" time to figure out problems or deal with struggles, or because home is where your heart is and no matter what, home will always be alive in your heart... and just a reminder, it's a personal choice to be a stay home son. I'm doing it for my Mom.
Just focus on the next three seconds.
Until next time...
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