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A thought on looking backward.
Thank-you. The real world. We’re all about to enter ‘The Real World.’ That’s what everybody says. But most of us have been in the real world for a long time. But I have something to tell everybody. I’ve glimpsed our future, and all I can say is… ‘Go Back’.
‘Diane Court – Say Anything’
This is one of my most favorite moments in a movie from one of the most important movies of my adolescent existence. To be honest I feel like most of my favorite movies from the 80s and early 90s had it right. It hurts to grow up. Navigating life isn’t easy. There are no directions, only suggestions. That also bring to mind the iconic Aerosmith song, Amazing and the lyrics ‘life’s a journey, not a destination’. It’s full of blown tires, empty gas tanks and potholes in the road. Life isn’t pretty, isn’t ever going to be tied up in a little bow and the quicker you learn that, the less anxiety will be in your life. Not all of it will go away but that added pressure will fall away.
I would cringe to think what my younger self would think of me. I had hard limits on what I would tolerate in my life and I can’t say I have kept to them. It’s hard to look back knowing that you don’t have a do-over. It’s wasted time. Being a mom has taught me that. My oldest is 19 now, the same age I was when I was pregnant with him and I have a hard time not telling him to run for the hills because I know where morphing into adulthood will take him. But, it’s his journey. He has to go through it all just like I did. I am just hoping, like I did, he learns from his parents mistakes. God knows I made my fair share of them.
What would I have to say to my younger self after living the future? GO back. Seriously. Rethink the world. Expand your views. Learn more and don’t let people guilt you into thinking their way is the only way. You have never and will never beat to the tune of everyone’s drummer, only your own. It’s not a good fit. I have tried and failed. Hey Jen (that’s me) – you have to follow your instincts because THEY have never failed you. You have just failed them. LIVE LIFE FULL. No compromise because there are things that you just don’t get a do-over.
So here’s my thought on looking backward…..it is fruitless. Look forward, be present and listen to yourself.
I hope I look back in 10 years, on my soon to be 50th birthday, and think “man I rocked my 40s”.
Do you have anything that you look back on and are shocked by?
