We all look back on things we could have done differently, how if we had just done this or that our lives would be better. Maybe if we listened to that Bitcoin guy, we would be millionaires by now. Or if we had taken that job, we’d be retired. Or my favorite: Instead of spending all that money at Home Depot and bought stock in the company instead, we’d have three more homes.
Lieutenant Dan invested Forrest Gump’s money in some kind of fruit company (Apple) and made him rich. It didn’t change his life, however. He gave half of it to Bubba’s mother and enjoyed his job mowing lawns. His happiness was a matter of perspective and the fact that he was still alive after everything he went through.
It’s tempting to think what we could be doing right now if our fortunes were different. We’d be driving a brand-new car, traveling the world, knocking items off our Bucket List. Instead, we get up to go to work when we could have been independently wealthy. We pay our bills and keep receipts when staff should be handling all that, and when we do get to go on vacation, we wonder why we don’t have a concierge making all the arrangements.
I know a lady who worked for a billionaire. She was in charge of the warehouses where he put all his stuff. He’s probably the opposite of Warren Buffet, the sixth richest person in the world, who has lived in the same modest home for the last 66 years. Both are in stark contrast to the rest of us, especially those who suffered misfortune and wonder how they’ll keep a roof over their head or get their next meal.
Everything we’ve ever done, every decision we’ve ever made, leads us to this point. No matter what we think our lives could have been, we are here and not someplace worse.
I like to surf and wish I could have traveled the globe in an endless summer. But then l would have gone for that big one in Uluwatu and broken my neck. Sure, I’d like to drive a speedy car, though maybe if l did, l would have wrecked it. And what if l did retire early? I probably would have gone hang gliding and fallen from the sky.
A friend celebrated a big occasion by renting a huge mansion right on the ocean in North Carolina, and invited all of us to stay for the week. It was stunning. For one reason or another, after a few days, everyone had to leave except me. After two days being alone in this spectacular place, it meant nothing without my friends, so l left.
Life could be better, or it could be worse; we could not even be here at all. This holiday season, I am thankful for where I am, what I’m doing, and the shape I’m in at this very moment. All my friends, family, and associates are also here—alive and well. I don’t worry much about anything else.