One Day When You Look Back…

When you look back at today, there are things that you will appreciate, some day far away from now.

You will appreciate the quality time of solitude that the lockdown bought you.

You will appreciate the stress and murkiness that took the toll on your mental health — the gradual and sapping effect it had on your resolve and strength. It was not the most comfortable time, but it taught you an invaluable lesson that you had refused to learn all those years: nobody ever walks alone. In the end, no amount of “personal determination” or budgets, or spreadsheets or a big bank balance can subsitute family, friendship, intimacy, natural interhuman awkardness when it comes to a fulfiling and meaningful life.

You will appreciate the precious time that you had all to yourself, even though at the moment you are just wasting it away binging YouTube and Facebook late into the night. “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it is not the same river, and he is not the same man”. — Heraclitus. Time gone is never coming back. Your time is limited and so is your loved ones’. One year, two years, five years, ten years from now and beyond, who knows who’s come and who’s gone? No amount of money can buy back time.

You will realise focus and simple-mindedness is a luxury as you get older. As 30s come in clear sight, responsibilities, obligation and social pressure are awaiting. So be grateful, cherish the “Me-Time” that you are priviledeged to have now. Make sure that you use them wisely. Have a list, have a plan, and carry it out.

Lastly, one day far away from now, when you have changed to a different person, you will appreciate yourself for having written these words, because they would be the only proof left of somebody you once were: younger, more foolish, clueless and yet full of dreams — or you wold say wishful thinking. Hey remember disgruntled old man — Yes I am talking to you Future Me— Be grateful that I have taken stock of your life for me, or my life for you, or our life for us ?!

Cheers!

Sydney, Saturday 23 Oct 2021.