I will never be that guy.

When people ask you, “How’s Tom doing?” you’ll never say things like:

Oh, he’s doing great! He just bought a house, he just got a promotion at work, he married a beautiful woman who is a wonderful mother and a great wife, they just had their second child…

And on and on. I’m just not that guy. I’ve always known it, too. The things “That Guy” has I never wanted, and still don’t.

Here and there along the way I occasionally beat myself up because I am not that guy. What’s wrong with me? Why aren’t I like normal men my age? When my father was 33 he had already been married for 10 years and had 2 children, a house, a career, etc. I have nothing.

My life cannot be measured by accomplishments or material things, since I really have nothing, besides a beat-up old Ford pickup and a college degree.

At 33 I look back and realize I haven’t accomplished the goals I set for myself years ago because…

I just never set any. Ambition is something I’ve lacked my entire life. Motivation? I don’t feel like it. Self-discipline? I’ll do it later. I don’t know why this is, I never really thought about it. I guess I just don’t have any passion.

I’ve always been content to do things later, to not worry about it, to go with the flow, to relax and have a good time, to live here and sleep there, walk with my head in the clouds… This is who I am.

A man’s got to know his limitations. At 33 years old I know what I’m capable of. So at times like this I reflect, shrug my shoulders, and say to hell with it. I am who I am. I’m happy, and that’s all that’s ever mattered to me.

So the next time someone asks you, “How’s Tom?” just reply, “He’s doing great!” Smile, and leave it at that.