Nostalgia for Today

This year has been hard. Really hard.
It’s like 2024 decided to be 5 years at once. Maybe it’s a tax thing.

Saying that something is hard has many implications. Is it bad? Is it an opportunity?

The reality is that it’s just not easy.

Some days I appreciate it and some days I don’t.   

Hardship is survived through resilience.
Resilience is built and fortified through support.
Support comes in many shapes and forms.  

An avenue of support has been the Positive Intelligence Coaching Grant.
It is a coaching framework which cleverly packages mindset and mindfulness.
It has given me a new iteration of my Time Management Philosophy.  
Or maybe it’s the same and I just needed a new reminder…

See, I already talk about our mini-mortality in both Part 1 and Part 2 of the series.
But it’s in the context of recognizing and prioritizing what is important in the moment.
What it does not address is the restlessness of ambition.

Ambition is good, ambition is great.
Capitalism has warped it to fuel exploitation and self-hate.

Once I have X amount of money then…
Once I have this partner/child/pet in my family then…
Once I have this achievement/title/position then…

Then what?

Are you happy?

Do you spend the rest of your days relishing every single moment of getting the thing you wanted?

Or is this just another line in the script you wrote for yourself?

Here is a new set questions (cue that one Green Day song):

How far away from today will you need to be to be nostalgic about it?
What will be the things you remember fondly?
What do you think that nostalgic future self would say to you today?
Would they be kind to you?

As hard as things feel right now, it’s also very simple.
Double down on everything I value – dignity, authenticity, freedom, living life.
Appreciate being able to withstand the trade-offs.
Recognize all the wonderful parts that don’t need rationalization.
I will be nostalgic for them when I achieve my ambitions.
Everything else works out when it needs to, so I just need to keep faith and be prepared.

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How nostalgic are you for today? I’d love to know.

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