Then, Thirty-free. Free to make changes. Free to pick up and go. Free to uncover what makes others contented and happy. Because, despite my wonderful life, I sometimes found I was not. For quite awhile I had been pondering my place in life. I was a thirty three year old single female, with a stable government job, living in the bubble of suburban Orange County in a pleasant condo I managed to purc
hase myself, and driving an older mini-SUV. Many would say I had achieved the American Dream…but sometimes I felt like I was living someone else’s dream. While driving down the same streets to work, a board meeting, or wherever else the day took me I often found myself lusting after things that I before never found value in. Things I never cared about and in many cases, things I never knew existed. Thoughts of want flooded my brain and I began to take all that I had for granted. No longer counting my blessings, I instead found myself longing for the white Range Rover Sport instead of remembering how blessed I am to have my fully functioning, no car-payment Subaru Forester. I yearned for a Rolex instead of appreciating my Timex. So, where did I go from there?!? I had created a life for myself that others may have looked at with envy and yet I was at times discontent and unfulfilled. I had started to wonder…how do I get out of this vacuum? How do I get back to what is important to me and remember how fortunate I truly am? What would I do if I could do anything else? While, most of my friends were settling down or dreaming of doing so, I was free (ThirtyFree to be exact) and I decided it was time to give back. I chose to pick up and travel on a giving adventure. Asking people along the way what makes them happy. What makes them feel 4tunate. All the while celebrating the ‘have’s” instead of focusing on the “have-nots.”
I took off on the day Americans traditionally reflect on everything we have to be thankful for…Thanksgiving. By then, I was Thirty-four, or as I came to call it, 34tunate (pronounced: ThirtyFourtunate)! I took my 34tunate year of life and performed 34 acts of service around the globe. Touching lives as I went and changing mine along the way. I got back to the basics. I spent time with people, did meaningful things, and made invaluable memories. I quit existing and started living. Now, back from this adventure, and with feedback from people I met along the journey, I have launched the 4tunate Movement where individuals/clubs/schools/organizations/corporations commit to 4 acts of service each year. It is a quantifiable and attainable way to make a difference and start living your version of a powerful life. Ask yourself, “How much more 4tunate would we all be if we did 1 thing every three months to help others?” It may seem small, but the impact would be HUGE! I invite you to join the movement by...
• Making this commitment yourself and posting on this page about what you are doing
• Officially signing up for the movement at www.4tunate.org
• Liking this page on Facebook & inviting your friends to do the same
• Following on Twitter and Instagram
• # posts with and
• All of the above
