Category: thoughtful

I think I saw this phrase sometime recently, maybe reading an online article.  It was one of those thought-nuggets that falls back in the subconsciousness after briefly fleeting through the frontal cortex, to resurface later in quiet reflective moments.  Guess that’s why I can’t be specific on how or when it got lodged away!  I’m not one of those people who puts great stock in the “untapped potential power” of our subconscious, but I do think it works in mysterious and very deep ways, helping us by bringing out important ideas that we need to actively consider… and also hindering us by continually bringing up negative events that have hurt us emotionally.  A slightly two-edged sword of our psyche, if you will.

So, this phrase has been on my mind, and I’ve been fleshing it out.  I started by asking myself, what does it mean and in what conceptual realms does it apply?  Is there a reason to explore what this means and how can that help with anything?  Questions beget questions, which I’ll list out, and I don’t yet have answers to them all.  I’m asking this of myself, but also in plural for anyone who might read this.  This what considering ‘the long game’ entails…

1. In general, I naturally tend to think mostly just day-to-day and not long-term.  I get up in the morning and mentally review the day’s schedule with work and family and events and obligations.  Is this normal for most people?  Do we all get caught up in just getting through each day?
2. As a parent, do I have a plan for my children (besides just to keep them out of trouble or killing each other, or me killing them for bad attitudes and talking back!)? Is there more than just making sure they get up on time, get through their school and practices, and in bed at a decent hour?  How often do we as parents think about our kids’ overall development in all the various spheres of their young lives?
3. How much time do I/we consider how much time I/we have left on this earth?  What’s on the ‘other side’ and am I ready to face it in a moments notice?  What if I’m alive next year, next decade, or live out to a ripe old age?  If I have a chance to review my life, will I consider having achieved all my goals or having “succeeded in life” (whatever that means…)?  Depending on my beliefs about the afterlife, what am I doing now to prepare for that?
4. In my work life, did the days just keep on rolling by, year after year, and was there a plan to follow?  Did I hit those fantabulous “Where do I see myself in five years” goals?  Am I where I thought I’d be by this time in life?  If I have 20 or more years left in full-time work, where do I see myself towards the end of that?
5. In the physical world around me, how is my life affecting the balance?  Am I a ‘builder’ or a ‘polluter’, making a positive change for the better, or contributing in hurtful ways to the environment?  (Oh please don’t think I’m being an environmentalist tree-hugger, I’m far from it… but I do believe we each need to be responsible with our resources.)
6. Finances: Am I one to live from paycheck-to-paycheck or am I putting away savings?  Am I just concerned with keeping food on the table, clothes on the family, and a roof over our heads?  I hope I don’t have to work until I fall over from old age, so am I making appropriate plans to retire well (and not have to live in a cardboard box)?
7. What’s the status of my health… are the year’s just creeping up on me, like just seems to naturally happen to people as they age?  Is my attitude one of “oh well, there’s nothing I can do and I just love to eat and what does it matter…” and “so my clothes are getting tighter but I can just buy new stuff…”?  What about my diet and exercise and making efforts to be considered healthy?
8. In my relationships/friendships with others, well, do I ever take stock of where I am today versus years ago?  Who am I close to and hang out with?  And being married to my best friend, what’s the status of my marriage, does it just kind of happen or is it being maintained with fresh input?  Are we working towards anything or just letting our lives together just happen?

The long game is a plan, and these are the things to consider for that plan.

It requires periodic review and evaluation.

If you don’t aim for anything, you’ll be sure to hit it.