being frank

The expression, in the blink of an eye, has been around for a while.

Scientifically speaking, it takes the average person about 400 milliseconds to complete the cycle of opening and closing the eyelid. It’s not exactly a long period of time in this our analog world. And it’s the reason why the expression has stood for years to imply something that happens at speeds deemed to be virtually imperceptible. Of course, in the realm of the human body, the actual blink of an eye isn’t the fastest corporeal component. Neural connections travel at speeds over 250 mph, and polypeptides (amino acids within our protein structure) can vibrate trillions of times in just one second. How innocently wonderful our silent, physical world can be.

But the expression in the blink of an eye still holds firm in our acknowledgement of those things or experiences that pass all too quickly. And that’s the focus of this little mental meandering – the inexorable passing of time. Industrious people make the most of it while others simply go along for the ride, hoping to capture a few exciting moments before it all comes to a screeching halt. If life is a journey, then your body is definitely the vehicle whisking you down the road, and the only pedal you’ve been given permission to play with is the accelerator. And, what of time? Well, it’s your primary fuel source on this journey and your assessment of quantity isn’t always accurate. For each of us, mileage may vary.

For those of you generously on the southern side of 40, these musings may not matter much. No doubt you probably don’t see the need to worry about your final destination at this stage. To borrow again from that car analogy, you have a relatively new vehicle with assuredly lots of fuel in its tank. The small course corrections you make on a regular basis are enough to keep things on track. And in the same manner in which you would casually contemplate servicing a new car, not much is considered for a young body beyond the basic necessities of fuel, fluids, and the occasional grooming to keep it looking great. But the fact of the matter remains that your body – that vehicle – has a finite lifespan, and there’s simply no time to waste. Now, I’m not going to bore you with a lecture on the merits of exercise, sensible dieting, proper hydration; you know, the stuff that helps provide a better quality of life. For this commentary is about the passing of time, and how and with all deference to David Gates (Millennials, look him up; no relation to Bill), this should matter to you, ‘cause time ain’t on our side.

We all want to make our mark in this world; it’s both an honorable and instinctual part of who we are. But unfortunately, many don’t look inward to assess what that mark is meant to be. Instead, they take the path of least persistence; they look to see what others have done to succeed and decide to follow that path. They quickly rationalize the merits of this newfound approach and come up with innovative ways to inculcate their persona into this made-to-order journey. Now, the path is seemingly theirs. But it’s not; it’s a variation on someone else’s theme. And the further down this path you go, the farther away you are from yourself.

Change is a wonderfully annoying thing. It’s unavoidable, undeniable, and it has no expiration date. You can effect change at any point in your life; you just need to know where you want to go and why. The why should be dictated by your passions; by that set of competencies, skills or talents that make you, you. That thing that makes you feel you’re in the zone; that you’re exactly where you need to be. And it doesn’t matter where you happen to be in your life’s journey to make a change. Some of the most well-known luminaries didn’t find their bliss – their purpose – until they were well into their 50s, 60s or even their 80s. The point is: Just don’t be who you have to be. Be who you want to be. That is the responsible thing to do, for you are being true to yourself. And that self is the most precious gift you will ever receive next to sharing the perfect love with another person. And if you’re lucky enough to find that in your lifetime, wouldn’t you want to share the best of who you truly are?

Remember: There are no avenues for change in a one-track mind. Broaden your horizons; expand your field of vision. But above all, do so by being aware of what lies within you. Because life goes by in the blink of an eye, and it’s the one thing – the only thing – you don’t want to waste on someone else’s dream.