The lens of time

I find myself caught up in thinking about the past, thinking about all the what-ifs, wondering how and why I made it to this point right now. I consider how my life could’ve been totally different from what it is. If only I continued along that path I was on, or if I had taken advantage of one of the many opportunities that presented themselves. I could’ve been earning a lot more money; I could’ve travelled more of the world or even partied a lot more.

I ponder all of the above and wonder if I would have still made it to this point where I am now or whether I would’ve become a completely different person. Yes, I made some bad decisions, but no, I don’t hold any regrets. I have made peace with my past. I have forgiven myself for my actions and I have taken the lessons learned in my stride. These lessons weren’t so glaringly obvious at the time, however, with reflection and an altered perception I have unearthed many teachings. This has been a timely process combined with a willingness to accept everything as it is, being open to expansion yet having no expectations as to what you seek to find.

This journey is an ongoing process and the more we engage with it the more we realize there is no end in sight to our self-discovery. Just as the macro is infinite and so is the micro, each time we peel back a layer we find another exists beneath. We can spend months, if not years searching for these answers, through highs and lows, to then realize the solution was right in front of us the whole time.

The solution being found in the most simplistic manner and the search was a mere means of altering the lens through which we were looking at the problem.

I have then realized that our journey is all about building better mental models of the world, by constantly learning and growing we, in turn, upgrade the way we perceive our surroundings and the events that shape our lives. There is no one way to perceive the world that trumps all, however, we can agree that with compassion, empathy, and an open mind, we are on a path that gives to others, just as much, or, if not more than it takes. We find that when we align with these values our lens becomes ever more clear, able to penetrate through the fog that surrounds us.

We cannot predict the future, which is just as important as knowing we cannot change the past. We must be willing and able to accept what is, but work on creating compelling visons for who we want to be how we want to see the world moving forward. It is up to us to make the necessary changes within, and by doing so, become an example to ignite the changes in those around us.

It all starts with the individual.

So be you, be true and the rest will follow suit.