madikarizma

I’m Thirty! Let’s Get Personal.

Today I turned 30 years old. So, what? I don’t look at this day as a beginning of the end or a number that will mess with my psyche until I lose drive to do something and be something great. Time is not limiting unless you keep telling yourself it is. And I have more mental energy now than I ever have. If you ask me, my time is now more than ever.

People keep telling me to take some time and celebrate me. Kick back and relax a little, open a bottle of wine, play some video games, etc. I love them for it. In fact, this morning got off to a wonderful start. I’ve received tons of love and support from my friends, family, followers on Twitter and Facebook, etc.

I love to celebrate. I believe it’s important (especially being an entrepreneur with long work hours, limited personal time, risk, etc.) to celebrate wins (big or small, personal or work-related) to keep positive energy in my life in tact. But I am not the type to celebrate me without celebrating the wonderful people who have contributed to a life worth celebrating.

Let me express some things, beginning with what you may not know about me:

• I was not “cool” when I was in school. Girls did not pay attention to me. I remember (easily) getting bullied and then picked on for it. I had no confidence in myself.
• I barely graduated high school. I earned my high school diploma during summer school my graduating year after sitting out my class graduation ceremony. I thought I was making a statement by wearing my cap and gown to the ceremony anyway. But really, I was just a kid who thought he deserved something he didn’t work hard enough for. It was a devastating experience, but it became a very prominent life lesson.
• I can hardly call my college efforts “me going to college”. To say I don’t have a degree would be an understatement.
• I wasted a few years of my life after high school making lame excuses for why I wasn’t actually doing the great things I would constantly talk about doing.
• I experienced personal relationships that messed with my head and made it very difficult for me to trust people. I became a complicated person to deal with.

As I reflect on the first decade of my adulthood, I realize I have been all over the place. I have been lazy, complicated, boring, miserable, ignorant and fruitless. But through it all, and despite these negatives, one positive I had from the beginning that made all the difference in my life: people (you).

I wish I had time to mention everyone, but there are a few messages I want to send to some important people in my life:

• My Family - I love you more than you will ever know. You’ve made me everything I am and no conversation I have about my life ever goes without that being noted. When I decided to leave for New York City (and then Columbus), it was the hardest thing to do. But I have been on a mission to make the Martindale family proud, memorable and set up for future success and happiness. You are my motivation. You’ve supported me the entire way, and I thank you. Life will not always be this way. I will be home soon.
• Lindsay Arnett - I can’t even begin to tell you how much you’ve brought to my life. I fell in love with you the day I met you (you were perfect). And I had it bad for you for months following. Then, just like that, you and I had a first date. There is no better feeling in the world than getting the girl of your dreams. You’re stuck with me. I’m going to marry you.
• Jeff Herbst - You changed my life. This train can’t be stopped. #hustle
• Cbusr Community Members - Do not change! There are many reasons this is the most inspiring and influential community in the city (hands down) in just over one year. The reasons are that you are curious, motivated, passionate, willing, caring, inspiring - and the driving force in this Columbus community. Thank you for all of your support. There’s a lot of work to do still, but stay with me. We are going to positively impact the lives of others, revolutionize local community and change the way we discover new people, places and opportunities forever.

Today, I am hard-working, simple, interesting, happy, knowledgeable and successful. I never stopped learning. I’ve learned the importance of discipline and how to be fearless. I’ve learned how to focus on one thing in order to make that one thing very special. I’ve learned how to succeed. And in case I ever want to do it again, I’ve learned how to fail, both quickly and inevitably. The list goes on and on… but I’ve learned all of these valuable life lessons from you… a person I have had the pleasure of being around, having conversation(s) with, listening to (or failing to listen to when I should have), witnessing, etc. You are a motivating factor in what I do. Without you, I am 30 years old and still dwelling on my past instead of evolving myself every day in order to do or become better for the world. I can’t celebrate this day without also celebrating and thanking you.

Thank you!
Cheers.