Time: Driven and Defined by You

Moments, a somber but beautiful song by Emerson Drive comes to mind when I think about how to position the aspect of time as it relates to identity and identification. The song speaks on an event where the singer comes across a homeless man whom he gives money to. The man takes the change, feeling ashamed, and states, "You know, I haven't always been this way". Man proceeds to tell about his life before and emphasizes 'moments' that led to now.

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Identity and Identification come to mind because they revolve around an awareness aspect (qualities, beliefs, traits of a person e.g. how, and with who, we spend our time) and how we are perceived/acknowledged and our response in 'moments'.

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Time and Moments

While life is a contiguous feed, time seems to be acknowledged not within but, rather, at the apex method of an interval e.g. an event…the start of a job, relationship, epic, diagnosis, travel, etc and, inversely, the conclusion of each. Undoubtedly we exist within this space, but more analog as opposed to an active, cognitive, accepting and transitioning form -- not so simplified way to say, with the exception of distinct events, we're often ambiguous with self and searching. (should have mentioned I spent time studying for the LSAT and will be attending Law School in the Fall).

Those who are able to escape the ambiguous and searching self, the interval is where we plan, define, assess, and reassess plans before our next transition. We focus on agility and mobility, as we’ve existed in a pattern of being highly aware and calculative and apply these tools/heuristics to accurately seek to take action in moments of strength versus weakness. We are the Adaptive Playbook, and insomuch, should be proud.

(sigh) It was all a dream. Yes, another song reference.

Unfortunate or not, that is none of us. We all exist in the Interval. But why are we convinced that we don't?

Social Media: Abstraction and Ambiguity

If you tune into LinkedIn posts (not this one of course, right?) and/or subscribe to the self-help influencer propaganda that bombards every social media platform, you may be convinced there is no time to exist in the Interval. That a process, product, or even a quote/tweet is what you've been missing -- your needful trigger. Following [insert an aforementioned item], you will reach/understand the inflection point, respond appropriately, and materialize who YOU are supposed to be. But who is this defined by and why does it seem we must always be DOING, GROWING, CHANGING, TRANSITIONING?

Beautiful concept of this, "Destination addiction" - happiness is somewhere else and you're always searching.

I bring this up not to malign attempts at attitude/identity affirming messaging (nothing screams authoritative more than posting something about how self has their shit together, right?). Be mindful of the frequency and interval here. Does one truly know something, let alone self, with this behavior? Or is it the opposite? Are we afraid of dealing with self that we posture, post, and pontificate with hope the sequence (and response from others) affirms who we think we ought to be?

Rather than deal with (self, problems, ennui) we broadcast or consume to distract/escape. This gives us the perception that doing evades having to be. As the trite expression suggests, "your perception is your reality". I prefer the more, once so elegantly stated, "it is what it is".?Note that life happens in the IT and not the perception...of it.

Authenticity: Attributes versus Outcomes (yea, bring it together please :) )

The way we apply our time is due to perception of self. If we spend our time in comparison to others we'll never find acceptance. We should understand that grace (self-awareness and acceptance) allows us to overcome the minds thoughts and own fears that we can't do, self-love allows us to find solace and comfort, and a strong identity allows us to persistently and confidently BE.

Time, you must own it. It's yours. Be sure to know yourself. You'll remember the 'moments'. Mobility happens. Just know that we transition as a result of growth not grow as a result of transition.

You'll exists in the Interval. But be cautious trying to "be happier than happy" (the wretched contentment and comparison conundrum). The shame isn't in seeing a difference, it's you not accepting it.

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Obvious song for Budapest karaoke tonight, "My Way" - Sinatra. Or Lil Wayne, "I'm Me" :)

These Times They Are A-Changing. There's no escaping it. Focus how you see IT through.

Good Day and Good Luck!