Yes, it is a bottle opener... No, I don't have much use for it these days

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Merry 2 days past Christmas.  I would say keep Christmas in your heart all year, but I am not sure my Christmas, is your Christmas any more.

I was so happy to see the snow.  My father would have been happy, he used to always say he loves a white Christmas, but it can all go away on the 26th.  It didn't all go away on the 26th, but it will most likely be gone (for the most part) by the end of the weekend.

I have to admit it was so nice riding home from work at around 11 AM on Christmas Eve, the snow was fresh on the trees.  The white a stark contrast to the brown of the dormant trees and the green of the pines.  I really do love that fresh snow on the trees.  That is such a nostalgia trigger.  Not to any specific time, but for some reason it always takes me back.

And speaking of back, we haven't talked about the search for greatness.  I was thinking on that drive home about my past, but more so how happy I was to be able to be here with my wife and kids.  Providing for and spending time with them.  Time...  funny thing.

When we look back, we find ourselves flipping through the memories like a picture book.  We become awash in times of happiness, success, failure, and regret.  What is interesting is that when we try to find past greatness, there is always times of regret as well.  This is probably due to the lack of perfection in ourselves, times of weakness, uncertainty, etc.  

You see, the more I dwell in my past, the more I realize that I can't go back to anything.  I think I have made it clear that I don't believe I was ever great, I was good, better at certain things back in the day than I am now, but I struggle to find the greatness, but I do find learnings: good and bad.

The funny thing about making things better or improving.  It doesn't mean "going back" or even trying to replicate that past, but rather learning from it.  In my case, it is trying to live now.  I know, we hear this all the time.  Be present, live in the now, etc.  That isn't what I mean.  Yes, everyday you are still in this plane of existence with the ones you love is a gift, but it isn't always the best day ever and you can't make a shitty day the best day ever.  

What can you do?  Try to have less regrets every day.

  • Tell the people you love, that you love them.  And for Christ's sake show them with your actions.
  • Don't hurt people, physically or emotionally
  • Be honest, when it doesn't hurt people, but be direct when someone needs it
  • Smile and be kind - it really does benefit you and those around you
  • In this world where everything is at your fingertips, be patient
  • Single-task when you can - don't let the world tell you that you have to focus on everything at once.  That is quantum computing's job (though some argument could be made the brain functions a bit like a quantum computer)
  • Try to remember that life isn't actually a competition.  Capitalism and greed try to keep us focused on a ring.  At times, this drive to be best/successful/wealthy/etc is detrimental to yourself and those around you.  I guarantee you that your happy place does not exist at the top of a pile of stuff you acquired.  Happiness is in the faces of the people that love you and in your heart.
It is 6:25 and I have to get ready to jettison for work, but I leave you with one more babbling thought.  Time is the only thing you have of value.  You have no idea how much you have, you most likely spend it like water, you never have enough of it, and you regret when you waste it.  Give how you spend your time some thought.  It is hard to break from our greedy commercialized world, but it is possible.  I struggle with it daily, but I think we need to take a small amount of time each day to make sure we are spending some of our most valuable asset (time) on ourselves and our loved ones.

For now, I'm good (MMGA)
 
- JJ

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