Almost two months ago, I wrote what I believe to be one of my best pieces. Inspired by (literally) the world’s most beautiful song, I wrote about how sometimes the future you imagine for yourself isn’t the way the present plays out, causing you to change course.
I’ve always been keenly aware of what I want out of life. I’ve never been afraid to leave one opportunity for another in the pursuit of something better. But for the past two months, I’ve grasped at straws to answer that oh so common question I’m always asking ‘What next?’.
Amidst all the uncertainty, I’ve found solitude in the groundbreaking words constructed so magically by Katie Pruitt in that same song. I’ve found solitude in not needing to know the ending. I’ve found solitude in being flexible with where the wind takes me.
I don’t need to bend over backwards to tell you about the importance of flexibility. But even the most bend over backwards people still want to control their life. Specifically, how they opt to create meaning.
The benefit of having multiple different interests and passions is that you can be flexible in choosing different paths in different moments. In having options for where you want to go.
Truthfully, it can be a confusing process for a young person. We’re told to be where we are. We’re also told to consider our futures. The tight rope in between can be a difficult one to shimmy across.
The societal result is that it’s fine to be where we are, but not fine to have a lack of direction for where to go next.
However, if you know yourself…if you really know what you’re passionate about and what brings out the best you, you can find inspiration and meaning in any attempt to bring that side of you out. In any direction. Regardless of the path. Part of the fun lies in discovering.
Besides, so often, paths change. How can you be so sure that the path you want for yourself in five years will actually be what you want when you finally arrive? A small part of you probably wants that future reality to be your path right now. So why not, amidst all the internal conflict, take the leap in creating that path right now.
I could say to myself that I want to do races like Black Canyon and Zegama in a few years time, working my way up to the competitiveness and experience. But if five years from now I no longer even like to run, I’ll have missed out on the present day opportunity. By then, I might have a family and kids. I might have other priorities. If I want to do something, why not do it now?
Why be constantly stressed about what the future holds? Why constantly wonder what the ending to the story might be? Why not go out there and discover the next page. The very next page. The one that’s sitting right in front of you.
Why skip to the ending, when you haven’t read all the pages. Why not spend time creating the story. As Katie Pruitt says, you don’t need to know the ending, you just need the courage to turn pages.
Knowing where you stand and how you can make a difference to both your life and the lives of others is an essential place to start. Once you have that in mind, the direction you might go can multiply in unique, unexpected ways. The ending to the story is not the question you need to answer.
Living in the present sometimes feels like an impossible pursuit. But it’s what must be done to take full advantage of all the beauty the future has to offer.
Thanks for reading and see you soon.
Rhys Desmond 