Been thinking a lot lately about time. Wasn’t it just yesterday that today seemed so distant? Seems like you can’t really prepare for anything, because you’re learning as you go, and it always seems like too late to apply what you learn. If I were me, then, I’d do things differently.
You’ve always got to learn things the hard way, Mom used to say. It’s true. For some reason, if it didn’t hurt when I learned it, I didn’t remember it.
It’s finite, time, that’s the real kicker. Imagine what we could do if we had infinite time. What we might have already done.
I’m not the only one thinking about time. Everyone is, whether they are aware of it or not. It’s a constantly running subroutine in the back of everyone’s minds.
Thirty today, so probably belaboring the point a bit. The anniversary of the day I came into the world. It’s natural to get a little…lost in thought on your birthday. Another, more different subroutine, executes on your birthday—it’s like a self-directed progress report. A virtual actuary tallying up the score.
I’d do all right on the evaluation. Bit bored. Life’s one steady heartbeat these days. Take care of myself. Got a solid job. I’m comfortable. Someone asks: How are ya, Ted, I say Can’t complain, Bob. I sign off my emails with “Best,” and I can point to a reason why.
They love to ask you about your goals. All your life, they ask you about this, posing curious, agenda-laden questions like In five years, where do you see yourself?
Better question: five years ago, where did you see yourself?
If you can’t answer, that’s why you’re nowhere.