Questions, Questions

In a second bout of pondering, the questions below are this time a little less personal, taking on a more philosophical taint as I grapple with some of the bigger picture items. Again, these are my thoughts and opinions, and while I feel strongly, you are more than welcome to hold different, or even opposite, views to mine and I won't take any offense ... none, zero, nada.

As I said in my previous post (CLICK), this is meant as a springboard for discussion ...
Over a coffee?
Or maybe a beer?

What worries you most about the future?

I will profess that my reply to this query might change significantly depending on when in my Life's years you posed it, priorities being fluid and dependent on circumstances, profoundly reflecting the worries of that period.

When I first read the question, at this time in my life, I immediately thought of three things:
(a) the looming climate crisis
(b) the political landscape
(c) the potential for a recession

A quick look at a recent IPSOS poll reveals that I'm not that far off, the worries of the world in 2025 include crime & poverty 32%, inflation 30%, social inequality 28%, unemployment 28%, and political corruption 27%. It is curious to note that 32% of Canadians responded with inflation concerns, augmented by the present situation with North American relations, but didn't poll out on other world concerns, instead focussing on the significant internal changes the country needs to reshape it's habits and global image ... curious, not worrisome.

Of my three major concerns, the political landscape is obviously innately tied to the threat of a recession, but lost in the daily turmoil of the White House is the continuing issues surrounding the climate crisis. With POTUS et al creating a variety of smokescreens through ever increasing ludicrous decisions (Venezuela, Greenland, ICE), the banishment of climate crisis issues from mainstream media creates great fears about the planet that we are leaving to our coming generations, the threat of which is reinforced weekly as the weather changes from what we thought we understood. How quickly we shoved the issue to the back burner, the cause of the crisis escaping the mechanisms of industrialization around the globe at rates seemingly unchanged. It's hard to know who to believe in this day and age of AI generated news, but the effects are a global concern and a global responsibility, and time is indeed running out.

Even though I have entered my sixth decade, I still anticipate being around for a lengthy number of years more, the increasing threat of extreme weather events becoming the new normal, and with it, the rising cost of maintaining our global infrastructure and safety. Unless this is simply a cosmic coincidence, the rising threat of extreme events poses not only (and most importantly) risk to life, but the increasingly regular cost of clean up and rebuilding is pushing the limits of financial feasibility. 

When are we going to collectively going to change things?

What is the difference between living & existing?

Steve Maraboli, the author of the quote to the right, "has electrified, inspired, and entertained a wide range of audiences in over 30 countries with his unique style of cutting edge behavioural science, proven business methodologies, humour, and unforgettable stories".
When I looked him up ... yes, I didn't immediately recognize his name ... I learned that he is credited by INC Magazine in 2016 with being one of the most oft quoted speaker/authors. I am pleased to admit that I immediately felt a commonality in perspective, and it dovetailed brilliantly with how I would answer the question above.

While there are many in various corners of the globe that might beg to differ, not the least of which would be those enduring one form of armed conflict or oppression, I propose that simply existing is not a tall order in today's global experience, our ability to impact a situation around us is one of relative ease. Life simply happens while we keep our heads above water. To turn the tables on this and to truly live in a manner where you hold the reins of Life, one must greet each day with intention and a sense of purpose, a mindset that foists the victim mentality of a shoulder shrug through planning, and acting on, a predetermined course of action for the day's energy. Those that embrace this mentality are easily spotted, their non-verbal communication of "I got this" a resounding demonstration of motive and resolution.

I hold a firm belief that doing this 24-7-365 is a tall order, but have succeeded more often than not at "sucking the marrow out of life" (think Dead Poets Society) as I embraced the challenges of daily life, purposefully linking the decisions for the Here and Now. Looking at today through the lens of yesteryear, I am proud of how I've arrived at this point. 

I fully admit that this view is through the lens of living in a great country, with no threat of war/conflict, and being in a secure state financially. 

If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don't like, and like so many things we don't do?

The easiest way to answer this links back to Maraboli's insistence that we get busy living, but I will confess to have fallen prey to the Rat Race in my working past, and in doing so, have affixed perceived value to accomplishments surrounding the work place, providing motivation to embrace things I didn't enjoy with the justification that the reward trumps the displeasure. I was quite quick to "drink the Koolaid" as it were, lest the accolades arrive less frequently, even if it meant that was a gnawing grumpiness glowering deep inside. With a finite number of minutes in each day, those under the umbrella of flexibility were gobbled by the perceived mandated must-do's. 

Wait! What? You looked so happy making dreams come true for others ... you weren't? 

If I'm honest, sure, I found some satisfaction in the process of it all, feeding the competitive core of my soul, but the rewards didn't always leave that warm fuzzy that reaffirms it all in the quiet moments of my musings just before the morning alarm. I wasn't anxious about damaging my relationship with Joyce, or even my kids, but those internal arguments about what really and truly made me happy meant I didn't always prioritize effectively. This self-struggle manifested as perceived stress and my long standing character flaw has been to console myself with treats, a habit that has led to wild fluctuations in girth over my life, a subject I've written about in the past. When I truthfully conquered those internal demons, I more successfully prioritized those available minutes for things I knew would result in that addictive warmth deep inside, will power to stay out of the cupboards at full power, self soothing through movement and putting my body back in balance. 

I spent my years at the public trough, willingly and passionately, and while paid well for my efforts, much of the satisfaction was of a non-monetary nature. I've forever joked that I chose teaching because it was the only way in Canada to get paid to coach. I could have followed the lead of some colleagues creating, growing, and maintaining a "side hustle" to pad the personal coffers for the days I find myself in right now, a trip or treat the direct benefit, but I also know what creates that previously mentioned addictive warmth, and I'm darn proud to have found a way to give it permanence that didn't require cash. Knowing myself like I do, I was honest enough to realize that it would require some of those minutes, a sacrifice I did my best to balance. 

Still, I did willingly sacrifice minutes in the pursuit of legacy, the joys of which materialized in the later stages of Life, and I acknowledge I definitely could have prioritized more effective, but I will stand firm that they do not manifest as a Life's regret. I accept the misgivings and forgive myself for choosing, hindsight being 20-20.