I spent this afternoon shopping for artsy functional pieces for the new studio with my business partner.   After hitting a couple places and finding a few pieces we liked but wanted to think about, we headed to a trendy local micro brew.   I didn’t really think about the time…when you don’t work a traditional job, time doesn’t matter like it used to.  But it just happened to be happy hour.

As I sat there looking around, I remember something I do miss about working a traditional job.  I miss going out with coworkers after work to grab a drink.  I miss that feeling of unity…bound by a common success or enemy.  I miss those times when you just needed a beer to unwind…vent…celebrate.

I realize this may sound ridiculous because I can literally go do that whenever I want now, but the difference is the bond.  The difference is having a co-worker or 10 by your side to partake.  The difference is the tribe.

Don’t get me wrong.  I wouldn’t trade my current life for my old one, but seeing other people doing what I used to look forward to doing…and realizing I miss it was an interesting awakening.  It was closely followed by nostalgia for a set schedule…of having a normal weekend…of dressing up for work.

By the time I left, I had pretty much come to the realization that any and all of those things are still within my grasp…just not exactly the same as it was before.  I can go out for happy hour if I want.  I can set whatever schedule suits me and if a more traditional one is what I want, I have the power to make that happen.  I can also put on my “big girl clothes” whenever I like.

So while an old piece of me pined for something I thought I missed, I quickly came to understand that all that and more is available to me now.  That I am in complete control of my life and my destiny…and at any point I can change pieces or all of it.  That my friends…the people I chose to surround myself with…are my true companions.  That, my friends, is the ultimate power.