Where I am...

This is not meant to be a philosophical reflection or a confession of any sort but simply an observation on something relevant to anything you may want to accomplish.

“Where I was, where I am, and where I will be”

Words that wandered into my head a couple of days ago almost as a mantra, and have stuck with me ever since. I don’t think they will shake loose until I’ve made my peace.

These words start in the present and draw a line in the sand; a benchmark from which to reflect, as well as look forward to the possibilities. A benchmark forever shifting — Tick tock, tick tock. This does not necessarily indicate progression but simply movement. A movement of time and the movement of activity, where time is the only constant and the activity is ever dynamic. Taking you from there to here and ultimately from here to there. Tick tock, tick tock.

This movement can be progress and these humble words offer an important signpost to reflect, evaluate, course correct and continue the journey; a journey that is never linear because straight lines are a human invention. A journey that takes you ever closer to that mountain you want to climb, and that’s what’s important. Remember though, it has to be your mountain because a journey to climb someone else’s mountain is a fool’s errand which has you forever asking, “Where am I?” Tick Tock, tick tock.

There is a truth that needs to be accepted, not in these words per se, but in how you look at where you stand and at that footsteps that mark the sand. A false view gets you lost with nothing but wasted time for your efforts. Tick tock, tick tock.

This hasn’t shaken out the way I thought I will admit.

I thought maybe this would meander to a commentary advocating good plans and maps to your find your way but that’s not where I found myself. Warren Buffet, a man who admittedly is wealthy enough to buy more or less anything says the one think he cannot buy is time. It is finite, constant, and the same for everyone.

So in the end, it turns out the words “where I was, where I am, and where I will be” are a reminder to stop dicking around and get to it because there is only so much time.

Tick tock, tick tock.

iamgpe

Moments — "Preparedness in life or the lack there of..."

It’s not that I ever really run out of ideas for blog topics but sometimes what I have in the proverbial “hopper” seem a little stale so every so often I fish for ideas, and the waters are always plentiful.

And on my hook this time… “Preparedness in life or the lack there of…”

Something born out of Covid 19 I suspect, and most likely a reflection of dealing with what we like to affectionately call the new normal, or in other words trying to understand a deadly new virus while dealing with interrupted employment, children at home, operating in isolation, having your support groups operate from a distance, and only just now, not having to worry about a reliable toilet paper supply chain.

These seven words make for a huge topic, and where to start? Are we talking about building good foundations, or managing through crisis, or dealing with change and adaption, or dealing with emotion, or simply all of it? In situations like this, when the topic is huge, I always go to my “sayings” file and see what I’ve squirrelled away for motivation.

And the waters are always plentiful when it comes to pithy sayings.

Like this one for example:

Next time you’re stressed, take a step back, inhale and laugh. Remember who you are and why you are here. You’re never given anything in this would that you can’t handle. Be strong, be flexible. love yourself and love others. Always remember — Just Keep Moving Forward. (Unknown)

And this one

Your journey has molded you for your greater good, and it was exactly what it needed to be. Don’t think that you have lost time. It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now. And now is right on time. (Asha Tyson)

I suppose Life is an odyssey we are never totally prepared for and we need to confront situations that come our way with a knowing and a confidence that we can work through whatever is in front of us. Strength, flexibility, determination and kindness are our guides, and we are greater for it.

There you have it.

Pithy quotes are the answer to almost everything.

iamgpe

PS — Someone really did send me this blog suggestion, and I am thankful for it because I really needed some pithy quotes right about now.

And now you know...

There is a question that we ask ourselves every so often, particularly when we are being reflective — “How will I do when the situation gets difficult?” Or as people who put memes together like to say, “when the going gets tough”.

Say for example a novel coronavirus has entered the human population and quickly rises to the status of a pandemic; as a result measures have been put in place to minimize transmission and reduce the deaths that come with this sort of thing. Only essential services are available, only essential travel is advised, and social distancing and isolation are recommended, and where resolution has gone from weeks to months. Health, economic wellbeing and our social fabric, all under threat.

I suppose you could characterize this as one of those times.

I am 99.5 % certain there is a list of some sort that outlines the optimal way to act (and what to do) when crisis hits, and 100% certain everyone has an opinion on this. I would also suggest that most people would say they are handling the situation fairly well — sure it would be nice to go to a restaurant or take in “a ball game” but other than that I’m on top of it. After all, we have to be the hero in our own story don’t we?

The one consideration I believe is imperative regarding our story is to honestly reflect on the situation and how we are making our way through these rough waters. Can you honestly say, with a critical eye, that you’re asking yourself how you are doing?

It is in this question you know how you will handle the situation when the going gets tough. It is by asking this question that you know you can handle the situation when the going gets tough. It’s in this reflection you will identify what you like (and what you don’t like) about how you are handling everything. It is in this tally that you will find insights into successfully adapting to the situation and ultimately progress to the time when Covid 19 is just a story shared across the dinner table.

And don’t you want your story to be colourful?

iamgpe

PS — as part of my own reflection I have found I am spending too much time waiting; waiting for the statistics on confirmed cases; waiting to see if we are flatting the curve; waiting for this to be over. Waiting is not a particularly good story, although it does allow me the opportunity to switch gears and do other things more productive, and colourful.

PPS — Dr Suess was right about the waiting place. (Oh, The Places You’ll Go!")