Dear Universe, That "relationship" could have been an email.

This is part of a tongue-in-cheek series based on my personal life experiences.

I am huge believer in the laws of the Universe - you know - that nothing is a co-incidence, there is a larger plan- and that we are all divine beings having a human experience and life on Earth is a school. And I am more than content exploring life with the curiosity of a child and mostly okay with navigating life as it comes.

However...

I do have an issue with the lesson plans.

I turned 34 on 18th June, 2021. And I ponder - A LOT - around my birthdays. I think about the good, the bad, the ugly - the "Ummm so what was that?" - and overall, wrap myself with the joy of being.

This year, I finally validated my hypothesis that - the Universe knows "what" needs to be done but routinely messes up the "how". The application of Implementation Science when it comes to the Universe's lesson plan crafting possibly requires a respectful revisit. It is my personal experience that in its present form - it has been leading to several gaps in effectiveness and efficiency.

It's a bit like the education system we follow - the intentions are great, the process leaves a lot to be desired and the relational causality factors are tenuous to put it politely.

Take for example - the 3.5 long term romantic entanglements, I have had the privilege of being in. Each taught me a lot and I am grateful for the opportunities it presented in learning more about myself, human interactions and developing a keen understanding of the array of functionalities of interpersonal communication, trust, boundaries, respect, equity, justice and confidence. The investments in the lives of all concerned by all parties through the process were considerable and I am grateful. However, while the outcome is most appreciated; the process was very convoluted, unnecessarily stress inducing, mired in critical information gaps (I'd blame the course coordinator for this) and left a lot to be desired.

Infact, the lessons packed in each of the romantic entanglements in question could have been a three paragraph email in listicle format with an automated update every few years.

The email approach, if adopted by the Universe, could have benefitted all parties directly and indirectly - even been referred to in posterity and shared far and wide in different languages- saved time, money and energy across the board. The resources saved could have then been invested in constructive thoughts and actions that brought about tangible and intangible benefits and wellbeing for all, instead of - as it did - singlehandedly contributing to the business development of Tissues, Therapy and Tylenol.

If we take - as an example - just one of my 3.5 romantic entanglements - with all due respect to the individuals involved - had it been an email - it would have directly saved about 876000 human life hours for all primary and secondary stakeholders collectively (both him and I and those who witnessed the process) - that is approximately- 100 years - which is a life time of 1.5 healthy people or 1 centenarian possibly enjoying "Ikigai - The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life".

This can be further compounded by calculating related costs including opportunity and sunk costs of course - but that would mean me revisiting my Business Accounting course notes and additional time in calculations - leading to possibly more Tissues, Therapy and Tylenol. So, I humbly refrain.

Now let us consider the personalized email route for the lessons the romantic entanglement packed in - these could have been delivered in theoretical format in a listicle email, with infographics or further reading lists if required, with 3 splendid benefits:

1. Learning peacefully: The email could have been read, studied and absorbed alone or through focused group discussions with individuals undergoing the same lesson, story telling and white boarding - with either text or audio visuals or even line diagrams and mind maps backed by centuries of behavioural science theory and experience. Without the stress - emotional and physical - that came with the romantic entanglement in question.
2. Self paced learning: As a self paced learning modality practiced in the right frame of mind - the email-listicle approach could have inspired curiosity and paved the way for informed application thereby enabling individuals and communities alike to live their highest best.
3. Time saving: This process - in entirety would have taken a sum total of approximately a maximum of 3 hours including Q&A versus the 876000 hours the Universe's current approach has costed us collectively for the one romantic entanglement that I have taken into consideration for this argument.

While we are on the topic, I would also like to gently and with no intentions of malice point out that the Social Return on Investment on most of the Universe's lesson plans are way too long term to actually be profitable to those who are directly involved.

To be continued...