In the walk through life it becomes clearer that the longer we are here, the more we learn. Hopefully we change and adapt in a positive way from these experiences. In route to this, I find I’m often falling back on the Don Henley line, “the more I know, the less I understand, all the the things I thought I knew, I’m learning again.” Is that because the things we thought we figured out have now changed, as well as ourselves? Is this an endless loop of just chasing our tails?
This is a classic case of having too much time on my hands and not enough distractions. Seems like a bad thing, but is it? From my experience at this point, its not the greatest fun I’ve ever had in my life, but I feel like I’m getting closer to understanding something that is quite valuable.
I had a philosophical conversation with a good friend the other day. It’s funny how early in life, the things that we focus on, are usually things we’ve not ever experienced yet. Experiences that take us closer to this preconceived notion of being what we really want to be, or accomplish, or have in our possession. Yet things can arise that suggest someone didn’t read the script (at least our script), painfully ignorant to our plan.
They come under the name of unexpected illness and tragic deaths and losses. How dare that get in the way of my plan. I didn’t do anything to deserve that! Did I? Well, the point of the conversation was that no matter the plan. No matter how careful or how wreck-less you treat your life, it seems predetermined. Our destiny was resolved long before we get to it. Was the writing always on the wall.
So the questions are: can we change our destiny? Should we not focus on things so much and worry and stress because it’s already been written? It will happen no matter what we do. Wow. My head hurts just thinking about this stuff.
I clearly need to get a job or get back to traveling. Of course, I now need a job to keep traveling.
I’m not sure why I’m at this point. Since I hit 50, my incredibly stable life has turned into something I wouldn’t recognize as my life in any shape or form from the previous five decades. The last piece I had that was stable, still the same, was my job. That is now gone. I guess this is just another mourning process and time to figure out how to pick myself up and move on.
So many people have it much worse. In the big picture, I’m fine. If this life ended tomorrow, I would say it was pretty amazing. Pain makes joy more joyful. I think now it’s more about finding the right purpose moving forward. Give something back. Make your life worthy. Say thank you for this existence in a way I haven’t yet.
Then I stop and wonder…… is it already laid out and I’m just in the process of getting there?
This is a heavy way to finish up the year and my first 5 months of blogging. So let me lighten it up a bit.
I’m excited about what’s ahead for 2020. Of course, I can’t say or type or read 2020 without hearing Barbara Walters voice. I’m blessed to be in a relationship with an amazing woman who puts up with me and continuously encourages me as I move forward in life. My kids are beautiful, healthy and vibrant young people. I still get to share holidays with Mom and my family. The Mets have new ownership and management. Hey. It’s a start!
I’ve got many projects planned for 2020. I will rely heavily on your input and feedback. I want to do things that all of you out there want to see and hear and benefit from as much if not more than I do. I will need your help with some of these projects on various levels as we move forward.
I plan on jumping back into the weather world, although not on traditional TV, but through other means where I can be more creative and interactive with my audience. I have some travel projects I hope some of you will come along and join me. My podcast is about ready to launch in a couple of weeks. I’ll keep blogging while I can.
Once again I can’t thank you all enough for your support and love over the years that continues today. It truly means the world to me. Without it, I may not be here today.
So here’s to a healthy, happy, wonderfully prosperous New Year to all! Stay along with me for the ride and I will do my best to make it worth it.
Sunshine always!!
sitelock.quinathen
You like many of us have a year that was full of change. Thank you for sharing. It is funny to me that we all are watching you on your journey yet we feel so alone on ours. My take away is that we all have something, some very big things and some white lady middle class problems but we all have something. Happy Healthy New Year!
A wise person once said to me”if you ever want to make G-d laugh, tell Him your plans”. Hope you have a great new year.
Jane I love this quote. So true. Thanks for following along and a happy healthy prosperous 2020 to you and yours.
Chris, I always enjoy reading your blog. So much to think about in this one! Thanks for continuing to keep your fans posted about your adventures. Can’t wait for your podcast.
On another note, I went into the city yesterday to see the tree, walk around, see West Side Story and eat at Carmine’s. Normally I would check out the NBC studio and look in the window. Not this time though. It wasn’t the same.
Thanks Kathy. I’m glad you continue to follow along. That’s very funny about passing on NBC store, but that’s between you and me, ha ha.
I’m going through what I consider the toughest time of my life. I am watching my Mom slip away a little bit every day. At times, I feel sorry for myself and my family who have become full time caretakers, and then I stop and realize that I have so much to be thankful for and all the wonderful memories of when my Mom was a vibrant part of our lives that I have nothing to complain about.
I’ve enjoyed watching you for years as part of my 5:00 am routine, and I’m enjoying your blog tremendously. Life has a way of throwing us curveballs, but it’s gods way of making us stronger and I believe forcing us to make or take direction that we otherwise never would have made. Enjoy every day of your new found freedom, in the end it’s all meant for some unknown reason!
Travelling a similar journey with my husband. Our financial issues are much more severe, and I can feel that ever present pit in my stomach for the last 6 weeks since we have entered this new world. We rely on my 2 jobs, and there are limited prospects for a social worker in his late 50’s even though he is an amazing person. I follow you and am trying to take your motto of SUNSHINE ALWAYS to heart. All the best for 2020 Chris.
I enjoyed watching you in the morning, you brought some personality to the weather. When you work at something a long time and then you stop, you can find you mixed up who you are with what you do. Some of us have traded our passion for a paycheck and later rediscover our passion. I am sure you will do something in media and be successful. You were trained by the Marines to adapt and overcome. That never leaves you.
We’re with you all the way. Wishing you the best of everything in 2020.
Hope you find the job of your dreams that is fulfilling and makes you happy! You deserve nothing less!
When one door closes, another door opens. You are talented and likeable and whatever you do will be great. I wish you the best and cant wait to see what 2020 brings for you. Happy New Year!!
Miss you in the morning! The vibe has changed since you left!
Enjoy reading your writings- appreciate you sharing everything you have been living. Always a comfort to know we aren’t alone!
Looking forward to 2020! Wishing you good health, good times, good music, and good Mets!! HNY
Chris, I can’t say enough how much I miss your charm and swag in delivering the weather news. I can’t figure how someone who was born to do something – just up and leave that something at the prime of his life. Can’t wait to see the next chapter but if I turn on NBC and see you – I’ll be happy! Cheers! Happy New Year to you and yours!
Chris, you are sorely missed on morning news. I, too, had an unfortunate separation experience from a job I loved. However, I also believe that your fate or path in life is determined the moment you take your first breath as a newborn. Sure we can go on tangents, but the foundation is already built. Hang in there and know that, although we may not be visible to you, your support base is still with you, i.e. family, friends, and your admirers. God bless you.
All the best to you in 2020… thanks for still being here for all of your fans!! Sunshine Always!!
Happy New Year to you and yours!
You are certainly missed on the early news every day, but like everything else it changes. They’re so sensitive the powers that be over at 30 Rock. I recall a newscaster named Sue who came out with a big no-no on air. Anyway, you’re not done and we’ll see you soon. PS. I always chuckled at your hopeful remarks about the Mets, coming from this Yankees fan 😉
Hi Chris,
Wishing you the best in 2020. I watched you for years but because of schedule I didn’t get to see you in the last few years. However, I was greatly disappointed to see you were unceremoniously dropped by WNBC for a 20-something weather person. I might add that I was also disappointed when Lori Stokes/WABC got the same treatment. Glad to see she landed on local Fox with Rosanna Scotto.
I’ve been through the same thing with Corporate America. It’s no longer what you know that matters, the USA has diminished knowledge in favor of lower salary. That carries it’s own price as we just saw why Millennials are not having children and the US birth rate is the lowest since WWI.
Here is my advice for you:
1. Get yourself a Voice Over Agent
2. Hook up with a Motivational Speaker Bureau
3. Hook up with an event management organization who can place you at live events throughout the USA
3. Hook up with a career recruiter who can get you in the hands of Fortune 500 companies for live events, product launch videos, and corporate videos.
4. Hook up with cruise and travel companies for live events and video voiceovers
5. Hook up with the Department of Defense and various military services for training videos and voiceovers
Best of luck,
Regards– Dom Fruges