Uncertain, Unpredictable, & Brief

Once we turn 50 years old or have a major illness, we as human beings begin to look back on our lives; some of this backwards glancing is with regrets but some of it is not. 

This phenomenon (if that is the right word) is not indicative of simply Americans or of affluent people, but holds true for people all over the world. 

Backwards glancing could be the single most important psychological issue that we, as a race of people, have in common. 

And, while this may seem odd to some readers, this trait is more common inside us than aggression or jealousy and ranks at the top with survival. 

All of us, at one point-in-time, look backward and wonder what might have happened, if . . .

For all of us who live on this earth, life is uncertain, unpredictable, and brief and for most of us, we live a life of 80 years more or less broken up into 4 - 20 year segments. 

Our first 20 year segment is built upon preparing us for life, either with education and/or experience. 

Our second 20 year segment is spent building a family and a career and establishing ourselves within our community. 

Our third 20 year segment allows us enjoy the “fruits of our labors,” regardless of whether or not it revolves around blue collar or white collar employment.  Our fourth and final 20 year segment allows only some of us (unfortunately) to enjoy our retirement years.

However, enjoyment is a relative terms and does not just depend upon one’s wealth or lack of wealth but on one’s expectations, perceptions, and physical location.  For example, retiring in Hong Kong is physically, financially, and geographically different that retirement in Egypt, Sweden, or Rio de Janeiro.  Retirement in New York City is different from retirement in Florida, Vegas, Sacramento, or the Tennessee Valley.  And, retiring on a Greek island is certainly not going to relate well to retiring in Tokyo or Mumbai.

If life is uncertain, unpredictable, and brief for all of us, what is it that make us so different?

From the UK to the tip of Africa; from Portugal to Taiwan; from Canada to Cape Horn, and from Hawaii to the Middle East, we are all citizens of the world sharing this life and basically sharing the same type of body whether we are male or female. 

And, for the most part, we eat, work, and sleep; experience some type of education, exposure to the military, and follow some type of religious or spiritual beliefs. 

And, for the most part, we are mothers, fathers, grandparents, sons and daughters, cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

And, for the most part, we enjoy the arts, enjoy reading, enjoy traveling, and have a curiosity as to how other people across the world live.

SO WHY?

Do we still have hate and discrimination among our neighbors?

Do we still have poverty, sickness, and disease among our children?

Do we still fight and kill and imprison our brothers and sisters?

FOR OUR CHILDREN . . .