Younger Self vs Older Self – Taking a Selfie
About a year ago I visited the Grand Canyon for the first time. Grandiose to say the least. More magnificent than I ever imagined. Yet all around me were people taking selfies……One of the most awe-inspiring places on earth and here were people taking selfies! I didn’t take any pictures at all. Not of me. Not of the canyon. My memories of that geologic wonder will live in my mind better than any photos could ever bring back. But today I started wondering about the people who took those selfies that day at the Grand Canyon, not about their canyon experiece but about the people themselves. If they look at the pictures they took what do they see?
Do they see the same person they were that day standing on the West Rim of the canyon? How have they changed? I don’t mean physically, exactly, although that could be part of it, but mentally, emotionally, where are they in their lives? Are they in a different job? New house? New relationship? Empty nesters for the first time? Newly retired? Diagnosed with an illness they never contemplated that day at the canyon?
Moving On
Life is not static. It moves on, with or without our consent. Are you passively letting it slide by, much as those selfie takers that day at the Canyon were doing with the scenery? Are you aware of your day, the passage of time and your role in it? Where are you now compared to a year ago? 5 years ago? 10 years ago? Have you read the books on your reading list? Started the remodel you’ve been talking about? Talked to the boss about an idea that could mean more money for the company and a possible promotion for you? Have you talked to your financial advisor about retirement? Painted the living room? Called your son or daughter? Started running again? All of our choices, good or bad will effect the way our “selfie” will look in a year, 5 years, 10 years.
I read an article last week that asked “What would your younger self of 10 years ago think of the person you are today?” What would surprise you most? What would disappoint you? Take a few minutes and think about this. It was an eye opener for me. Write it down. While we can’t change the past or get a do-over, what we can do is be aware of our choices NOW, TODAY, THIS MINUTE.
Old You-Future You
What you choose will make a difference in the future you. It might be something as small as not getting up from reading this to go get that last piece of chocolate cake that seems to be calling to you. How about going to the gym instead of checking out the latest news online. Start masking around the doorframes and windows so you can start painting the living room. Or polishing your resume because you have been thinking about going back to work.
Whatever your thing is will somehow impact the future you. Turning down the cake may be the incentive to go to use the Weight Watcher’s coupon that came in last week’s mail. Going to the gym might reconnect you to the person you wanted to invite to book club several weeks ago. Making a new friend can make a huge change in the who you will be 10 years from now. Fresh paint, fresh ideas. A new resume can move you to start a new online job search.
The article suggested that you write a letter to your future self, to be opened in 10 years. Make it five if ten years seems too long. What would you say? Would you talk about disappointments? Plans? Changes? Goals? All good food for thought.
My point is : Don’t be the person in the selfie. Enjoy your surroundings. Be involved Look around you. What/where do you want to be tomorrow? Next week? Next year? What will your surroundings look like? How can you make that happen? It’s up to you.