How far in 5 years?

In job interview it is common to have questions like, "where do you see yourself in 5 years?" bit maybe the pertinent question would be, "how far have you come in 5 years?"

Most of us are looking for opportunities in life in some way but it would be interesting to see how far we could have come if we had been able to utilize the opportunities of the past. Not just financial investment opportunities but for example, if I had taken the time to learn Finnish well or, if I had chosen the degree I wanted to do instead of the "smart choice".

What I question is that many people are unhappy with their current situation but, how many opportunities in recent years have they missed that would have changed it, and of course, why did they miss them? Is the world conspiring against them or, is it partly themselves?

I know that it have missed many opportunities over the last 5 years and it can be argued that I "wasn't ready". But, isn't then then the question, why wasn't I ready? And then, am I any more ready for taking advantage of opportunity that presents now?

This is often the case I find when I talk to people who complain a lot about their position, they haven't really been doing much to change it and instead say, "this is the way I am" or blame situation on everything outside of their control. Being controlled is something that nobody likes and it seems, self-control is the worst and most oppressive form of it based on how few people exercise it these days. Instant gratification is rife.

If the most accurate indicator of future success is the ability to delay gratification, shouldn't our past be filled with attempts to learn how to do it? Is yours, is mine?

I listen to conversations these days with people I have known a long time and the conversations repeat, the same complaints, the same excuses, the same words - over and over. If the mind is on a loop like a broken record, how can one ever be ready to accept responsibility of experience and take opportunities that arise if it isn't already in that state?

It is interesting that there are so many "smart" people who know what the future holds in their words but, even when that future arrives they haven't been able to prepare themselves for it and instead, keep suffering. People who know that the economy is prone to collapsing yet aren't preparing for the eventuality at all.

Can words be taken seriously if the actions are not there to support them? Yes, they can. Because someone who hears those words may actually follow through and redirect their energy while the speaker of the words stays unchanged in behaviour. Learning from others is possible even if the teacher is unable to learn themselves.

I like observing behaviours as it helps me examine my own and potentially shift my understanding so that I am more prepared today than I was yesterday. Ability to adapt to change is intelligence which by default means, preparation for change is a prerequisite for an aware mind. An unaware person could get lucky and adapt but, probabilistically, the chances are lower.

It is easy to see when it comes to financial opportunities of course as to be able to take most of them, access to economic resource is required. I personally have missed many opportunities because of a lack of resources but, most of my lack was self-inflicted through poor management of my thoughts and actions. I am changing however and while the conversation is ongoing, progress is being made - the preparation is taking place.

It is funny how many people complain about life yet, keep repeating it as if they are living it well. How far have we come in 5 years, how far will we go in the next 5? For me at least, I plan on expanding experience and opportunity further in the future because, I have been working toward it in my past.it might not work out that way but, life is full of possibilities and probabilities.

What are the chances we exist at all?

Taraz
[ a Steem original ]
_{(posted from phone on train with other work to do)}