Sometimes it takes someone a little longer than others.

That’s what my grandfather used to tell my mother when I was growing up. She used to call him often, genuinely worried about me. No matter what my parents tried they simply could not motivate me. No amount of punishment would yield the desired behavior.

I am, as I was back then, my own person. I think for myself and I do not follow the crowd. I’ve always had my own way at looking at the world. I was never content with other people’s explanations of things–I had to find out for myself.

In many cases, if I had only listened I could have saved myself some grief. I hate to admit it now, but my old man really did know what the fuck he was talking about. Not all the time, no. But the vast majority of the time, yes.

Looking back over the last 32 years of my life I see a lot of good times and bad, lots of struggle, and lots of happiness. The path I’ve taken through life has been a squiggly line, with lots of backtracks and diversions.

A good friend recently asked me, “If you could go back and do it all over again, what would you do differently?” That’s a pretty tough question. Sure, I have some regrets. I never expected to be a poor, unemployed college student still working on his bachelor’s at 32. But when I really think about it? Nothing. I wouldn’t change a thing.

All my experiences in life have made me who I am today. And I really like myself. Sure, there are things I desire–a family, a career, a home–but I wouldn’t change my life experiences for anything.

Not everyone walks the same path. I sure haven’t. But does that make me less of a man? I’d say it makes me a more complete person. I wish my grandpa was around to see me now. Things are really, finally starting to come together for me. In the last couple of years I’ve managed to pay off all my debts–except for my student loans… I’m graduating next month–a goal I set for myself over 10 years ago. And it really looks like I’m going to get this job with Union Pacific Railroad–a career that I honestly desire.

So what if I’m still struggling to piece things together at 32?

Sometimes it takes someone a little longer than others.