What time is it?
Ive thought of a riddle, do you care to think of an answer?
The twins are two numbers on the clock,
When the hand forces you to stop,
The digits are a multiple of the two numbers,
What time is it?
Posts
Flash Back
It’s very fitting that I find myself reading a new book #WhatAliceForgot by Liane Moriarty. The novel tells a story of a woman who forgets ten years of her life. It’s fitting because two years ago I was a different person; if found in a similar situation I would not recognize the person that I am today.
A lot has changed, and I am grateful that many of the changes are positive. Things like health, fitness, strength of character, my view and the way that I approach the world are all examples of attributes that have undergone a complete transformation. I had the opportunity to discover what I want in life; define specific truth’s of how I see the world; recognize things that are truly important to me and through that build tightly nit connections with a select few: those that I love and cherish.
I do think that it’s important to look back and reflect. Regardless of where we are it’s important to take a mental overview of how we are progressing in our journeys. I know sometimes it’s hard to tear ourselves away from the daily routines: from the goals, the check-lists, the comforts and the struggles; but once faced with a possibility that a memory can be wiped away I am left with an undeniable recognition that the magnitude of changes in the world around me is astonishing.
I know, once again I tend to get melodramatic but seriously: looking at the overall canvas that is our lives I can`t help it but to acknowledge the unique/precious quality.
Regardless of the cause I think it’s kind of wonderful.
So, if you were to accidentally forget X number of years of your life:
- How would you feel?
- Would you recognize the person that you are today?
- What things would surprise you?
- What things would please you?
- What things would upset you about how your life has turned out?
Your`s truly,
Max
Squeaky clean traveling
This is my second post that involves a particularly unusual dilemma. I am not yet concerned and I hope that this blog won’t become a chronological reference guide of what to do in questionable situations.
Last week I returned from a 7 day vacation at the beautiful Turks and Caicos. It was the best of times. Looking back I have to attribute the success of the trip as a partial reason that lead to the concluding calamity.
After my return; on the following Sunday I was scheduled to go on a business trip.
This Sunday while packing the new dilemma elegantly stood up and introduced itself:
What do you do after you come back from a long vacation: throw all your clothes in to the washer.
What do you need to travel cross border: a passport and associated business identification.
What happens when you find a pair of squeaky clean pair of shorts and [although equivalently clean] mangled passport in one of the pockets: the usual: momentary sense of anger, disbelief, frustration, and agony typically expressed in some form of blame or verbal foulness.
That’s right, in that particular moment there’s no better way to define my state of existence as: over hyped uncertainty.
Yes, I was packed: all my belongings were patiently waiting by the side of the door.
Yes, I wasn’t sure how bad the situation was.
Yes, I had mixed feeling of worry and relief. This could either be devastating for my business and my ability to travel or this can be an excellent excuse to avoid another trip. A part of me was even excited that I didn’t have to go anywhere and could run down to the gym. I know talk about my actual priorities!
So, what happened next. I took a few deep breaths. Analyzed the situation and acted accordingly:
- The passport was still readable; just mangled
- I called the border crossing patrol and explained the situation; the gentleman was quite nice and suggested that if the document was still legible it’s worth going through with the trip
- I’ve considered the possible outcomes, pros, cons and decided on a direct coarse of action
The analysis took at most 15 minutes. I was calm, collected and actually excited to discover if moving forward with the trip would yield a positive outcome.
I was confident that if I am honest, sincere and can explain my situation to the border patrol; then the officer would be able to pull up my digital information and let me through.
I’ve told myself that in the worst case scenario I would be turned back and would have wasted some travel time.
So, that is exactly what I did.
And yes, this story does have a happy ending.
I’ve made it through with flying colors.
So, what do I want you to take away from my experience?
- That I had an amazingly relaxing vacation in Turks and Caicos – I strongly recommend the place if you’re looking to get away from reality [just make sure you keep an eye on your personal belongings and check all your pockets before throwing things in to the washer]
- Don’t blame yourself: accept that things happen and move forward
- It’s important to stay calm, rational and think things through carefully in great moments of stress – yes, the future can seem bleak; but if you take your time, think things through, understand your situation and what is in your control then a possibly disastrous moment can turn in to a new adventure
Until next time,
Max