Let's make a deal

Have you ever wondered what your life would look like had you chosen a different direction?

Of course you have, we all have. A “woulda, coulda, shoulda” scenario liken to the 1998 movie “Sliding Doors” which starred Gwyneth Paltrow in a parallel tale comparing her life had she boarded a train before the sliding door closes vs. left standing on the platform.  

It’s not unusual to find myself day dreaming about the different choices I would have made and the ways they could have changed the shape of my life. Clearly, the outcome of my imaginary vision is in stark contrast to my “real” life which is precisely the point. So I began to wonder, how many people if given the option would actually jump at the chance to “re-do” their entire life’s work? Intriguing….. 

Seems like an easy enough choice, right? For example, if you were a contestant on “Let’s make a deal” and had the benefit of knowing that what lies behind door number one was “seemingly” far better than the door you chose, why wouldn’t you trade for it if given the possibility?!! Duh??!!! 

Albeit the concept of an entirely altered world filled with different faces, places and events is certainly enticing and even exciting in many ways but no matter how glorious the fantasy, I suspect would likely fall short of our expectations. 

Purely conjecture on my part, though I doubt experiences would be very gratifying equipped with all that unearned insight to, and I use the word loosely, achieve an optimum lifestyle.   

Some may disagree. After all, who in their right mind would bypass the good fortune to perfect their life through reinvention? I conceive the likelihood is that more often than not, most everyone.  

You see, no matter how mundane, difficult or lacking our lives may feel at times, we hold the exclusive rights to our journey. Sure there are plenty of supporting cast members, outside contributors and various unknowns that make crafting an unwavering course unlikely, but the one absolute is that this sequence of events called life is “OURS” for the taking. Indubitably, that which makes up the highlights, joys and successes is none the sweeter for this very reason. 

Imagination may be the cornerstone of aspirations, and certainly conjures up notions beyond limits that in reality we might consider unattainable. Nevertheless, the true spirit of living seems to warrant that we seek out what we truly want vs. being handed a custom made ideal. 

I confess I enjoy escaping through the abstract version of my “better self”. A reproduction regarded as an exquisitely beautiful, uber successful, multi-lingual entrepreneur, holding several Ivy league degrees who surfs like a pro, has traveled extensively and admired for philanthropic contribution (I assure you this list is far from exhaustive). But truth be told, I really just long to possess the fire and motivation to genuinely contribute in some memorable fashion whilst being appreciated for my efforts. I won’t pretend to understand the psychology behind my fantastical dreamscape; perchance it's due to a deep rooted belief that if I’m not at the very least extraordinary than my life would be as worthless as the paper it is printed on…in a matter of speaking. 

Logically, I realize this concept is nonsensical. Even those we admire and celebrate unlikely possess such an enormity of outstanding qualities. More reasonable is acknowledging that noteworthy accomplishments are a cocktail of individual talents that have been nurtured through passion, dedication and hard work; not daydreaming. 

Arguably, it’s much more fun and instantly gratifying to hunker down inside that little head of yours to make all great things crystallize. I certainly have no intention of giving up my “play time”, though I am committed to spending a little less time there and focusing on that which I can realize, at least to some degree on my own. Who knows, I may even surprise myself! 

 My conclusion is that we are not designed to drift along carefree devoid of challenge. I think that would better describe the “after life”; for those who entertain such ideas ;) So the door I've chosen still seems far more appropriate than a knock-off version of my reality. Undoubtedly, I can certainly call it my own.