re: Do you ever feel like you’ve wasted your life?

At 33, yes. I spent my twenties and early thirties messing around, working in food service, not getting married, not owning a house, poor credit, no kids, etc.

Then I went to law school, got married, started a family. Now, thirty years later, I am successful and happy.

Had I continued on the same track into my sixties, then yes I would feel I wasted my life. But that is also because I felt I had potential to be a damn fine lawyer and family man. The difference for me was making a true commitment to reach my potential and work damn hard to get there, rather than drifting.

Point being, it’s never too late to make the commitment to living a valued life where you reach your potential- especially if it includes commitment to other people beyond yourself. And that is not to diminish people who do something other than law. In food service, I was a cook and server. I was never a chef or waiter because I never committed to it. If you commit, there is awesome potential for growth, achievement and self value in restaurants or any other career. You just have to commit to your career, your family, the people around you, your community and your faith.