As I sit here in a hotel room on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, I find myself reflecting on how different life looks compared to what I once imagined as a child. Like many students sitting in classrooms learning about history and notable figures, there was an implicit assumption that success meant doing something extraordinary — something worthy of being written about.
But when you step back and consider the scale of that idea — millions of classrooms, millions of students — the definition of “success” becomes far less clear. How many people actually follow the path they once envisioned? And more importantly, how many redefine success along the way?
As a middle school student growing up in Bergen County, New Jersey, I certainly didn’t have a clear picture of what my future would look like. If anything, I associated success with bold, visible achievements — building something groundbreaking, leading something transformative, or leaving behind a legacy others would study. The reality, as it often turns out, is more nuanced.
Today, I find myself working as a network engineer, traveling to places like the Middle East to contribute to projects that, while not glamorous, are meaningful in their own right. There’s a certain disconnect between how these experiences might sound from the outside and what they feel like day to day. The work is demanding, often routine, and sometimes isolating — but it also plays a role in enabling systems and infrastructure that people depend on.
Being in Abu Dhabi offers a unique perspective. It’s a city that, in many ways, is still being built in real time. With cranes and construction stretching across the horizon, you can see the rapid development of a modern urban environment. It’s a reminder of how quickly infrastructure, technology, and ambition can reshape a landscape. Coming from a place with a long-established history, it’s interesting to consider how different environments evolve — and how much of that evolution is driven by technology.
Traveling for work also brings trade-offs. Time away from home creates space for reflection, but it also reinforces what matters most. For me, that’s my wife, Ashleigh. Her support and presence provide a constant sense of grounding, especially when work takes me far from home. It’s a reminder that success isn’t defined solely by career milestones, but also by the relationships and stability we build along the way.
At 28, I’m still figuring out what success ultimately means. It’s likely less about achieving something that others would write about, and more about building a life that is meaningful on its own terms — professionally, personally, and over time.
This is just an attempt to capture a moment of that reflection. Whether it leads anywhere or not remains to be seen, but the process itself has been worthwhile.