My core group of friends was together again. There are five of us who came up through the ranks in the Air Force and have remained friends. Our lives and careers have all taken very different paths, but we have remained intentional in our relationships with each other.

What brought us all together was a retirement ceremony. One of the airmen we mentored retired this past Sunday. He retired as a Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt or E-9). While the retirement ceremony was the theme for this weekend the true purpose was for the five of us to spend time together.

Two of the group live on the east coast so it’s not often we find an excuse for fellowship. However, a reality hit each of us. This weekend made each of us look at ourselves remembering how young we were starting out and the dreams we shared, some achieved, some falling short.

I asked each of them do they think they have found their true purpose in life. The consensus was that our true purpose isn’t just one thing, it’s more like the changing of the seasons. Over time as we mature what was important in youth is almost irrelevant now yet necessary in helping define who we are today.

This material is helping me discover who this version of me is now, and what my true purpose is going forward. I signed up for this course because I decided I needed to get out of the rut I felt I was in. I needed a push which is what our group provided to each other coming up.

We watched each other’s lives unfold, from marriage, birth of our children, graduations, promotions, divorce, grandchildren etc.

I appreciate this course being 26 weeks, because I know some of my old habits are going to be difficult to replace, however I am making small strides. I have to remember throughout this journey to be open and joyful for the small wins and not compare my path to others.

Comparison is the thief of joy and we all would do well to remember that.