On the Joe Rogan podcast last week, Joe asked Dave Chappelle if anyone gave him a hard time about putting on his socially distanced comedy shows in Yellow Knife during the 2020 pandemic.
Dave said, “Nope”.
Then he added, “Even if they did, why would I give a shit?”
I admire Dave.
He left the Chappelle show because it brought him more stress than joy – even though he lost millions in potential earnings.
He settled down in a small town in Ohio instead of LA, NY or Miami.
He does standup comedy when he wants to. He did a block party with a bunch of bands he liked in 2010. Sometimes he offers critical insight on social issues. Oftentimes he refuses to comment when he has no knowledge of the issue.
It wasn’t until I listened to him on the Rogan podcast that I realized what I really admired about Dave:
He is comfortable with who he is and where he is in life.
Me too.
I never imagined I’d be 52 years old, living alone and retired.
I thought I’d be renowned in my field, earning high income and coming home to my loving wife and family.
Instead, I live much like I did when I was in my early 20s. I exercise a lot, I have a lot of free time, I walk the dog, I swim and I focus on social activities and hobbies.
I am a good friend to some people, a mentor to a few, an attentive neighbor and a friendly stranger to most people I encounter.
At one time I was:
- A hard charging, voted “most likely to succeed”, valedictorian
- An honor’s college student
- A college dropout
- An active stepfather raising two kids
- A devoted husband
- An abitious career climbing sales pro
And much, much more.
What Others Think About My Life Is Irrelevant
I’m grateful to have experienced most of these phases. Some of them I miss. Some I do not.
But like Dave, I am perfectly comfortable with who I am and where I am in life today.