Wonderous Stories

Wonderous Stories – Yes!

When a piece of music starts going through my head, it tends to stick and repeat several times over the next few hours.

Today it’s that 1977 Rick Wakeman and Yes rock classic “Wonderous Stories” – a defining moment for them.

It’s just as well I’ll never be a guest on Desert Island Discs. 8 tracks would be useless for me – can I have at least 18 please? Whereas some guests pick their music based on phases of their life, mine would each represent a defining moment for me.

You start life in happenstance. You don’t choose whether your parents are uneducated and in poverty in Guatemala or Burundi, or highly educated and wealthier in USA or Hong Kong. What happens after that is heavily affected by your genes (and their history) and by your upbringing (nurture).

But key, is that individual moments have great effect; and the choices you made based on them have determined where you are today. Had you made different choices you’d likely be in a very different place. Because each move you make has a sort of opportunity cost. It sends you in one direction - which means that you haven’t gone in a different direction.

Often, each choice/move sends you further from your original point or path. So, you could have been doing all sorts of alternatives. But you are not.

Consequently, you look at each of your choices/moves as a defining moment …. your life is based on them. You:

·         Decided to become a Banker because your uncle did that and you liked his lifestyle

·         Weren’t strong enough to reject your parents’ horror at the life you wanted to lead, so you backed off and unhappily chose a sub-optimal other

·         Met a girl at a party you never intended going to – and ended up marrying her

·         Purposely decided to work with a particular sports team because it would look good on your CV

·         Unexpectedly met someone who introduced you to something new – and you realised it was just what you needed

·         Met 3 other women in the maternity ward and have stayed close friends and confidantes for the last 20 years

Sometimes your decisions are intentional, sometimes you can’t quite remember why/how you got here.

But your work and your life are based on your defining moments. And remember, if it’s not working for you, you have the power to change it – starting now.

Your best memories and reflections (people, places, things) are often based on your defining moments – and they will play a hugely important part in your life when you give up full-time work.

Retirement/starting your future life is a pivotal point. Suddenly you have the scope and time for new choices. The status quo changes massively. You’ll want the future to be happy and healthy.

Time to reflect on those defining moments to date.

It’s also time to create new ones. Go for it – no regrets!

The choices are yours. Is that magnificent or scary? Freedom and fun?

The stage is yours (with whoever is involved with you) to create your own, new wonderous stories.

Don’t waste it.

 GPhoto: Aaron Burden on Unsplash