A few days ago, I proclaimed that I was taking charge of my life again!

This past year has taken a toll on my physically, emotionally and mentally and honestly, I have struggled. I have struggled with gaining weight. I’ve have not worked out in the last few months like I have in the past or needed to do so.

And at the end of the day, I have to be here for my family. I have to be the one that is here for my kids, when/if my wife’s brain cancer returns.

So I made the decision last week to resign from my job and focus on them. It wasn’t an easy decision, but one that was necessary for myself and my family. But it was a decision that had to be made.

In life, time is limited, but it is what we choose to do with that time. And I’m choosing to take back my life. I am choosing taking charge of my life again. But more importantly, I am choosing my family first, which is something that I have not always done.

To leave my job, was really a difficult decision for me, as I have been with the organization for 11 years. But the reality of it is, even though I struggled, I knew the answer. I wanted to protect my team and those that reported to me, but my team is also my family and they need me just as much as my team at work does, if not more.

Rarely have I put myself first, but today, I am doing just that. I am committing to working out daily and taking better care of myself. I’m going to ride the Peloton, do a mix of Yoga, Stretching and strength training and I look forward to walks in the morning, as it turns cooler. Today, right now, I have to plan on an unknown. I have to prepare for a life without my wife and being a single father.

With the help of some of my closest friends, who will keep me accountable, I’m taking charge of my life and committing to being a more present and less focused father and husband for my family. Because they are the team that I have to focus on first.