Circa 1989

Talking with a friend this evening, I was struck by something my friend said. A comment was made regarding who we were in 1989. Naturally, much of the discussion was jovial in reflecting on stellar coifs from back in the day, as well as considering our youth versus current maturity. The thing that caught my attention (after the pictures from 1989 of course) was a remark by my friend that he was good in 1989 but also likes who he's become, the person he is today. He wasn't saying he's better today, only "different".

I began to ponder the bigger question. If who we are today is largely in part due to the person we were then, can we say we like one over the other? Wouldn't it always be that we're different today? So much of our lives we fail to recognize the moment and the today and instead live for the when…the when I do this, when I accomplish that, and so on. So much time is spent striving toward a future that in doing so, how could we possibly appreciate who we are at this moment? We work toward a future thing, toward an idea of who will become but too often, we fail to invest in the today which is the building block of who we will be tomorrow.
I question also, how many people truly would find they're not happy with who they are today. If not, doesn't it make the challenges of everyday life less robust and rewarding? Or if we don't like who we are today, why not change those things today?

The conversation encouraged me to think of how often we reflect back on whom we were at some point in our lives and so often think "if only..." or "I wish I had...” What I realized is that each day should be lived fully so we might move forward with confidence and the knowledge that the moments we had in sum, make us who we are today. I suspect my friend has lived his life appreciating each moment, working for his today, and knowing tomorrow will provide a sum of those moments…each having an impact on who he was, who he is, and eventually on the amazing person he will continue to be, and become more amazing.

In summary, I found I too am happy with the woman I am today, and thankful that I have such friends to stimulate thought and personal introspection.