The wish has been granted

Today, as I was doing research on the Brompton folding bike I mentioned in yesterday's post, I came across a blog written by a couple who, about ten years ago, decided to sell everything and spend three years bike touring for 15,000 miles (a large portion of which was done on Bromptons).

The most memorable passage from their numerous blog posts that I read was the following:

I remember a conversation with my college roommate Iain. We were outside of Sproul Hall, sitting on the planters, having those deep philosophical conversations that seemed to happen every night in college, but so rarely after. Those nights always seemed so full of possibilities.

“You know, when we’re old. When we’re fifty or sixty, we’re going to wish that we were 20 or 30 again. That we could have another go at it,” he said. I nodded in agreement.

“But,” he continues, “what we don’t realize is…that the wish IS coming true right now. The wish has been granted.” - As told by Russ, from The Path Less Pedaled

The wish has been granted.

I need to be reminded of this every day. All worries of the present and the near-past melt away when they're set against the specter of regret in old age.

What does it matter whether we've been given a second chance, or a first chance? This is our last chance to live the life we want.

I turn 38 next month. In 12 years, I'll be fifty. In 22 years, I'll be sixty. I could think that I've already squandered half of my wish, or I could think that I still have half of my wish remaining. I'll choose the latter.

In the next 12-22 years, how should I live to make the most of this remaining half-wish, to minimize the regret I may feel when I look back on my younger years?

I want to learn more things, and see more of the world. Different people, different ways of life, new technologies, and new environments. I mostly prefer urban areas, and want to live in more cities. I want to read, and write - and once in a while, to teach some things to a few who may wish to listen.

Would one trip per year over the next 12 years be enough? What about living in a new city for one month per year? In an ideal life, I think I can do better. Let's waste no more time.

(And yes, I bought the Brompton. Sincere apologies to my wife, who is ever vigilant when it comes to lifestyle reduction and is against the purchase. Thankfully, if my decision turns out to be incorrect, Bromptons have a robust resale market.)