Trust 30: Entry Eight

Five Years by Corbett Barr

There will be an agreement in whatever variety of actions, so they be each honest and natural in their hour. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

What would you say to the person you were five years ago? What will you say to the person you’ll be in five years?

(Author: Corbett Barr)

Dear Jay (five years ago): Things are going well, aren’t they? You just started a new and promising job as a Creative Director. Your first born just finished his first year at college and your daughter just graduated high school with plans to attend the same college as your oldest. Your youngest child completed his freshman year of high school that included a successful season on the baseball diamond and is now looking forward to the Babe Ruth summer season. Your wife is nearing completion of her first year at her first job outside of the classroom and it has been a success. Congratulations. Life is good.

Now, in regards to William’s new girlfriend, yes, they are going to get married. And your daughter? She’ll be in California for a year and then spend a semester in Israel and another in Italy before she comes home again. And when Jordan blows out his elbow next month? You should know that he won’t ever play baseball again, regardless of all the rehab and two more surgeries. And all that money you and Hope are pouring into school and vacations and whatever else comes up? You’re still paying it off in 2011. In fact, you have another solid year before any of that goes away. (I probably should have written this to Jay “ten years ago” and maybe you’d have planned better.) Your wife has held on to the same job for five years, but you? Dude, you are currently on your third job since now. Sure, the reasons are varied and, mostly, out of your control, but you should know that you have been consistent in adding to your work history.

So, what’s the takeaway? William and Jul are happy and thriving. Laura is still restless but that time away was the best thing for her and she is a dynamo. Jordan left behind athletics, concentrated on music and is also thriving. Your marriage has survived 29 years and the two of you are still best friends, regardless of debt, trials and the day to day battering of life. Bottom line? You have no idea what is coming and it can all change in a minute (a cliché is a cliché because it is true). So, enjoy the ride. All the planning and speculating is good and necessary but you have to be flexible enough to bob and weave when it doesn’t quite work out like you thought. And, more often than not, it does not work out like you planned. But, blessedly, it still works out.

Dear Jay (five years from now): So, you couldn’t stay under 200 pounds. Really?

#Trust30 is an online initiative and 30-day writing challenge that encourages you to look within and trust yourself. Find out more at http://ralphwaldoemerson.me