NOT WAITING FOR LIGHTNING
Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020
Too often I’ve lamented, “If I’d only done __________,” or “If I’d only called – or asked, or reached out,” and wondered how life might have unfolded differently.
When we are 17, it takes courage to ask someone out.
In getting older, our choices grow more onerous, and consequences appear severe.
We shift to the 3rd quarter of play; unasked questions becomes more prescient.
And more precious, our choices become.
Whimsy, too, along with chance-taking, exploring the risk/reward continuum.
Honestly, if we want something in life, we either go after it alone, or we solicit help.
Or we could wait for the lightning strike of good luck.
Good luck with that.
Saturday, yesterday – one month shy of the Ides of March, one day after V-day; day of reflection, some regrets, and some smiles, memories of events along life’s path. I remember vividly, moments when laughter erupted, when love was more profound than ever dreamed, when emotion resembled raging river rapids, rather than a trickling old creek.
I’m talking fuzzy-wuzzy-sappy emotion, but my meaning – what I hope to convey is appreciation for passion about a project or cause – building something precious, for protecting something in jeopardy, for standing up for right and righteousness even though so many things I’ve done, so many memories flood in reminding me of weakness, failure, mistakes, errors in judgment, and waste.
Wasted money, sure. Lost time.
Wasted opportunities – I’ve had far too many.
Asking a question, dialing a phone, stopping someone to talk – these are the steps of progress, almost always, over what we experience without asking something we want from someone who can help, over the answer we’ll get when we call someone with a question or request to join a cause, standing in someone’s path with an outstretched hand – these actions always produce results, and surprises.
They make our life feel more deeply rooted, more productive, and yield better results than if we didn’t.
What do you want?
Have you asked for it?
What do you need?
Have you asked for it?
What do you have to say?
Have you asked for or taken the stage to speak?
I was reading Saturday morning papers, or as they should be renamed, The Stupid Papers, of political nonsense locally, provincially, and federally – virus epidemic misinformation, geopolitical insanities, Brexit and exits, frauds in sports, disappointments, and appointments – so much ink, too little think.
The other day, commiserating with a friend, about the state of our city and everything gone wrong – and planning that is wrongheaded, but that’s what we did. He has a platform, a voice, and a chance to change things – so I encourage him. I know he looks at the possibility of his life being on display like a fish in its bowl. Why should that be scary?
Because most of us see ourselves in the mirror – all our misdeeds and peccadillos on full display, overshadowing the reality of who we are, preventing us from leaping after life’s next adventure.
There is so much to do.
Are you doing what you want, or lamenting that you never tried?
And, what is lightning anyway?
Pure static electricity – with immediacy, without dull moments – not unlike people with purpose who have a sense of urgency about something. Not about everything, but about something.
Reader feedback:
Boy this one was good. Seems we always have the best ideas in the shower. This one resonated with me, MJ, Calgary, AB
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