From Me

Challenge 23: A letter to someone, anyone 

Dear  ________________;

As a child I've often gazed at adults and wondered why they seemed so dreary. I've questioned the chosen singular path, because why can't they just be a clown or a dancer, or be an astronaut at night and a banker in the day, or just be everything at once? Why limit yourself to one title and one job and one briefcase? I grew older and realised that energy and time were ultimate elements, and success required plenty of investment in both.

You'll find that as you age, the various life aspects that you invest in becomes your determinant. Spend time with friends and have a lovely social circle, spend energy upon work and gain a promotion, spend time in hobby and eventually be recognized for your passion. What you give, you gain; some are luckier, some fare worse. The matter is the object of investment, and how much it enriches your life. It's about being happy, really, and doing good for yourself, and in turn, others.

Here's the thing: too often we're all distracted by objects that appear as pleasures, end up investing precious time in them. In small doses, perhaps they are elements of happiness. They are the notorious things of excitement and adrenaline, the ones that come spontaneously, invitingly. They are the stolen kisses in the dark, the little pills of ecstasy discreetly passed between fingers, the joke at someone's expense, procrastinating responsibilities, random acts that eventually become habits, eventually become traps.

As a young adult I found that there comes a point where you either continue going down that path of instant gratification and release, or you go in search of other things that need attention, the ones that require hard work, but give longer, sweeter rewards. You'll learn that growing up isn't about being boring or narrowed down, but rather finding something awesome to nurture and keep. That having something of quality is more valuable to your worth, energy and time, than either pursuing ten different nonsensical things, or not pursuing anything at all.

I'm writing in hopes that you'll finally see what it is that you desire to have and to keep, before you discern what you have lost.