A question I’ve been asking (in the right situations) over the past few years is, “What would your 80-year-old self-tell your present-day self?” The general purpose of this question is to help bring some clarity to a current situation that someone may be facing. In my perspective, it helps bring me out of the details of the current moment in order to look at the bigger picture from a different vantage point.
On Friday evening, my wife walked into the living room and said, “Game night”. She was ignored. Heather then clapped her hands and yelled, “Game night!”. It wasn’t just to gain our attention; she wanted to change our perspective.
What she saw when she first entered the room were her three family members, heads down, separately consumed into our own worlds, and not communicating or even acknowledging the others’ presence. After she had our attention, she then threatened all of us (yes, me included) with 72 hours of no devices. Not only did she have our attention but she also had our prompt compliance. Devices were stowed and within minutes the whole family (dogs included) were on the living room floor engrossed in a high-stakes game of Rummikub. It didn’t take long before we were all were singing along to the 80’s music playlist, Sydney was making up her own words to the songs, the rest of us were cracking up laughing at the newly created lyrics, and the dogs were trampling over our playing area. How quickly our living room came to life.
Afterward, Heather shared with me what prompted the Family Game Night intervention. She was talking with a friend at work about how quickly children grow up and the importance of making connections whenever possible-- before it’s too late and they’re gone. Heather and I then got talking how this happens to us as adults too as we get busy in “the hamster wheel of life”. I was talking with a couple earlier this past week and they told me they enjoy reserving a little time every weekend to connect with a friend. It could be dinner or getting together for a drink, or simply a phone call.
Why am I sharing this all with you? Simple: What connections could you be making? What would your “future-self” say to your “present-day-self”?
Please remember that we are “here” and available for you as well. If you have any questions or concerns, financial or otherwise, please do not hesitate to call or email. If you have friends, family, or neighbors you feel would benefit from a conversation with me, I’m more than happy to have a call or jump on a Zoom meeting with them.
As always, I hope that you are doing well, and staying safe & healthy!