I went to visit some friends who work at AT&T at the very building where I started my career with the company, back when they were known as Ameritech. 10 days earlier some of my former colleagues celebrated their 20 year anniversary with the company.
I was a little jealous. I wasn’t able to participate and celebrate with them because my job was downsized eight years ago. I felt I should be celebrating with them. The 20 year anniversary made me think about what might have been.
It was great to see so many people that I hadn’t seen in a while, 15 years in some cases! As I walked around the office, which hadn’t changed at all since I started there 20 years ago, I realized that what I wanted was the status that being someplace for 20 years earns you. It shows commitment, dedication, and a certain level of respect. It was an ego feeder.
I had no reason to be jealous. Although life has taken me in different directions, I am much better off now than if I had still been there. In the eight years since I’ve parted ways with AT&T I’ve found a new career in marketing, even earning an MBA along the way. I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing now. And I wouldn’t be as fulfilled. Life is much richer.
Instead of looking at what might have been, look at what is. Now is the only moment that matters. Yesterday is a story that can’t be re-written and the sooner we let go of what was, the sooner we get to appreciate everything that today holds. My visit was a good reminder of that.
Here’s to the 20 year anniversary I didn’t celebrate and here’s to today!
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