Covid has given us a lot more downtime. Our family hasn’t been “running-and-gunning” like we have done in the past. We’ve often found ourselves sitting around and just talking.
A few nights ago, we were out under the stars and I was telling my son stories from high school and college; stories from when Marly and I were first dating. He laughed at some of the stories and as the night began to wind-down, he said “what? I want to hear more!”
It got me to thinking about the last four (yikes!) decades. Going through those moments, living through those experiences…often felt mundane at the time. Ordinary. Yet, reflecting on them…seeing the story through my son’s eyes? Brought them to life. They began to feel more extraordinary. Exciting. Adventurous.
And that’s when it hit me. As we’re going through these moments, we simply view them as moments. We aren’t able to reflect on the adventure nor the impact the moment may have on us.
It’s kind of like white-water rafting…you’re too engaged in trying to navigate the rapids to really “take in” the experience. Sure, it’s thrilling and scary while you’re on the river…but your accomplishments and the adventure of it all doesn’t really hit you until you’re off the river. Re-telling the story. Re-living the memory.
Too often we think the lives we’ve lived up until now have been mundane and boring. We keep waiting for something amazing to happen to us…but if we reflect on our lives? If we tell our stories to outside parties? We often find that we have had some amazing experiences. While we were waiting for adventure, we were already living it.
It’s hard to recognize how profound and exciting those experiences were in the moment. Time gives us clarity. Looking back on the memory and seeing it through fresh eyes brings a whole new perspective.
Through Covid, I continued to hear this nonsense that we had “stopped living.” I’m not exactly sure what you and yours did during Covid…but we didn’t “stop living.” Did we have to stop doing some things that we enjoy? Of course. But in looking back at the last 15 months? We had adventures. Laughs. And dare I say? Some capers.
Life can be mundane…if you choose to view it that way. Covid could have forced you to “stop living…” if that was your perspective.
What you get out of this life is directly related to what you put into it. It doesn’t take money to have adventures. It doesn’t take a huge group of friends to have a party. And it doesn’t take exotic locales to make memories.
Our perspectives, attitudes and approaches to life will influence how we remember our journey; and more importantly, influence how we are remembered. Watching my son laugh at some of my past experiences was incredibly fulfilling. When I’m gone…some of my stories will live on through him. And his stories will live on through those who remember him and so on.
We are only a few generations from being individually forgotten. But how we live…how we choose to perceive our journey…will influence the next generation and those around us. My great-great-grandchildren may not know my name…but perhaps they will embrace life to the fullest because that’s what I taught my son. And he taught his children. Through stories. Through his attitude. And through his perspective.
Like a pebble thrown into a pond, we may never see the full impact of those ripples, but know that the ripples exist. Good or bad, our influence will be felt long after we’re gone.
Comments