Once again we approach headlong into my favourite time of year, the summer sun is waning and soon the crispness of the fall season will be upon us. The explosion of colours, the refreshing coolness that comes with those just not warm enough days that you think about dispatching your shorts in favour of a comfy sweater...ahhhhhh It seemed like a perfect time this past weekend to do some visiting with a few friends. Some sushi, a movie, a road trip or two and lots of conversations to fill the well.
I love how a conversation starts in one place and ends up in a, seemingly, entirely different spot twenty minutes later. You start talking about a rambunctious kid and end up waxing poetic about the back of a one dollar bill. Like watching a YouTube video for a song you just wanted to hear and ending up watching lions trying to take down a hippo...WTF internet!! Tangential brain at work maybe? But I digress. Certainly watching a West Wing episode or two prior to this road trip visit had the idea swirlings in my head, how it came to make sense in the moment while dodging Nerf darts and talking about the chaos of life in the middle of nowhere...well, life is grand if you allow it to be.
This image of the US dollar bill is a version of the Eye of Providence with the Latin phrase Annuit Cœptis above it. I'm sure it was the Masons that pulled all this together in some fashion and I have to tell you, I really like the symbolism it provides. As I understand it, thanks to Aaron Sorkin for opening the door on it by the way, the great eye and the Latin phrase has the essential meaning of God watching over and approving their undertakings. I'm not so sure he would approve today of course but that's another thing entirely. More importantly, to me at least, is the fact that the pyramid is not finished. Representing the understanding that their country isn't meant to be finished, they are supposed to keep growing, keep getting better...always.
As you may guess, I was struck by that in a personal reflection kind of way. While sipping tea and watching my friend get used for target practice by her son and his Nerf guns we were talking about life's way of kicking you while you're down. She has had some of the worst luck in life and yet still has the compassion and humanity to see through it. Her faith in God and her own intestinal fortitude dragging her through until that better tomorrow finally gets here. I have often said, over the past few years at least, I know that tomorrow will be better, and the day after that will be better still. Like the founding fathers of the disaster below the 49th parallel had envisioned, we are meant to always do better.
We are meant to challenge ourselves, to read difficult things and have difficult conversations. To quote a former girlfriend...when you know better, you do better. And here is where tangential brain kicked in again. As I was saying that little ditty to my friend I was whisked back to the age of 22 or 23. Sitting across from my fiance in a restaurant that she loved and I didn't think was all that good. Over a forgettable meal, in what can only be described as the arrogance of my youth, I had talked about how I felt at that moment in time, how my life was as good as it can be, things were perfect and by extension I was perfect. I had a soon to be wife I loved, a career and business that was growing, I was healthy and things just seemed to be working out so well. Arrogant? Probably, but to be honest, also true for that moment in time. I was on top of the world. Just like I was on top of the world a few years earlier as rulers of the school in our final year of high school. And do you want to know a secret....I feel like that today. The difference is, I know that there is always room for growth. Look at me being all adulty.
We are meant to be always moving forward, rising above everyday to be a better version of ourselves. 2.0, 3.0 and on up to today 18117.0. Sure we are going to have days, weeks and even years that seem to be dragging us down, but the unfinished business of our lives isn't going anywhere....the struggle matters, it is what shapes us for tomorrow. And in those times of despair, when it seems too much, lean on your friends and family. Accept the fact that you will have days that are harder than you think you can handle....trust me, you can get through. Setting goals is fine just don't let them rule you...putting yourself in a box isn't going to be helpful if you don't reach a goal by some artificial date of your choosing. Fluidity in life experiences and expectations is what I am saying.
For me, these small escapades this past weekend have somehow helped to clarify a few things. My pyramid is far from done...and your's aren't close either, and allowing for that fact makes a difference I believe.
Ciao
D
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