What’s a milestone if you can’t be there to celebrate it?

I still can’t believe that I’m going to see my brother — all the way in Australia — to celebrate his milestone birthday. The idea that I’ll be there in person this time still hasn’t sunk in.

Over the years, I’ve realized that it’s rarely the cost of doing something or the time it takes that holds me back. More often than not, it’s been effort and procrastination. Life has a funny way of making the “important” things wait until tomorrow.

I’m reminded of something Modiji once said that has stayed with me:

“It is not effort that makes one tired, it is the lack of effort — procrastination — that makes one tired.”

This couldn’t be more true. When we push things off, they don’t just disappear; they quietly weigh us down.

In my earlier blogs, I’ve written often about prioritization. It’s a simple word but a tough practice. True prioritization is not about squeezing everything into your day — it’s about choosing what matters most and being okay with saying “No” to the rest. That’s the hard part. No one likes saying no, and no one enjoys hearing it either. But to get the best out of life, you have to make space for what truly counts.

This trip is a perfect example.

This year has been anything but simple — full of ups and downs, changes, excitement, family visits, and new professional chapters. And yet, I’ve tried to focus on the things that anchor me: myself, my family, my work, and my friends. There have been messy days and smooth ones, unexpected turns and moments of stillness. But somewhere along the way, I’ve started to feel that I’m achieving more of the goals that truly matter, not just ticking boxes on a list.

It’s not a perfect journey, and it probably never will be. But being able to show up for this milestone — not just in thought but in person — feels like a small but powerful reminder: when you prioritize what truly matters, life starts aligning in unexpected ways.

36 years apart