Martha Burgoon-Karelius

I was raised in a 1600-square-foot home in Norwalk, California, shoehorned in with five siblings, assorted cats and birds, and lots of stuff. It was a boisterous, haphazard Irish Catholic clan with a simple and uncomplicated life. We survived on a single income, a civil servant's salary. If we wanted to do anything extracurricular, we were allowed and encouraged, but we had to make it happen on our own. Parenting was very different in those days. Call it "hands-free" style. There was not much chance that an über-involved adult would help with homework, much less a project or a merit badge.

I was an excellent student. I attended Catholic school for eight years, then spent my high school days recovering from it. I attended college, but stopped short at an AA degree and never went back. I'm not proud of that. My family values education highly, and I should have seen it through. From time to time I think about going back and finishing, but common sense prevails and I escape without adding unnecessary stress to my life. That's one line in the sand I've decided not to cross at this late date.

My mother believed in me. She praised me, encouraged me and told me I could do anything I wanted to do. It turns out she was pretty close to right. Despite my humble beginnings, I've managed to succeed in an industry where many fail, or at best, cling by their fingernails. I'm at the top of my game. I've made more money than I ever thought possible. I'm frugal, and I've invested well in some cases, a little irresponsibly in others. In spite of my mistakes, I have slowly but surely amassed a sizable estate.

In a nutshell, I've made a good life.

Now that I've covered all that is measurable and less important, let's talk about what is immeasurable and most important.

I'm happy. I am living my best life. I'm well-rounded and well adjusted. I live a very organized life. Organization in your mind and your world is a critical element for enjoying a balanced life. No areas of mine are empty, lacking, or chaotic. If I want something, I go to work on it. I continue to dream big. Who knows what the future will bring?

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