I was talking to a friend this week about moving on opportunities as they arise - grabbing the proverbial brass ring. Live with no regrets* - strike while the iron is hot - the window is closing soon, take advantage … I remember one thing my dad talked about before he died was that he didn’t “live” enough. When he retired, he said he and mom should have traveled more and done more things. He, of course, didn’t know mom was going to pass so soon. He said he should have traded up houses - they lived in the same house for 40 years … they should have had more fun, he said.
I think about this a lot. I think as we have options we should explore them and see their potential. We should discuss and mull, and see a future where this or that is possible. My friend and I were talking about politics and I said - I don’t think there are evil people out there (in our country) conspiring for the other party to have a horrible life … I think everyone wants the same, great economy, great success, safety, etc. “How can you sit across the table and see and appreciate their point of view, their solutions??” Wow, great point, because I don’t do that enough. When I put myself in their seats, the view is different.
Taking advantage of the opportunities are great - but the action should come with an appreciation and thought out respect of what your “seizing the day” will do to others. With politics - it’s a zero sum game meaning nothing is free. If you give someone something, it has to come from somewhere (higher taxes, borrowing from a social security fund or defense, or increasing the deficit, which will need to be paid back by someone …). Doing more stuff in life means you’ll have less money - but you may have more fun. It’s all a tradeoff, but if you don’t even consider the possibilities then you’ll go nowhere and do nothing. Sounds boring to me.
*This movie had this kid who had planned to have “No regrets” (a phrase I admire) tattooed on his chest and they printed “No ragrets” (I phrase I admire more) instead. Ugh.
