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| Vol.3.90 | |
Time Flying? - Take More Chancesby Vince PoscenteAuthor of The Ant and the Elephant, Invinceable Principles and The Age of Speed A few months ago, a Facebook message appeared. It was an invitation to our High School - Class of '79 Reunion. I remember when my Dad had his 30th. My distinct thought: "Yikes. Sounds fun. Drinking fruity wine with a bunch of old people." Ahhhh, karma rears its pesky head. But who says this has to be painful visit of a day long gone. I asked a friend in Dallas if I should take my wife. "Can there be anything more boring than attending a reunion with your spouseω" I said. Pete automatically said, "Don't take Michelle, take a dude. That'll get them talking." That reminded me of my spouse's reunion twenty years ago. I knew a few guys there. But overall it was an awkward shuffle of listening to irrelevant stories or pretending to be occupied. In the lobby, while checking out unclaimed name tags a sinister but self-musing thought crossed my mind. Why not pretend I was one of the No Showsω
With my new nametag, I reinserted myself amongst the circle of a few people I knew. They loved the idea. The train of poor taste left the station. Standing with us was an over-served graduate. She wasn't quite blinking with both eyes at the same time. "You're not Gunnar Blodget," she slurred. "He is!" said a guy in on the prank. "Prove it," she demanded. I got out my wallet and showed her my driver's license. She scrutinized the photo. Looked at me. Back at the ID then said, "Fer cry'n out loud. You ARE Gunnar Blodget." For the rest of the party I was emboldened by a force of poor judgment. Each time I was approached I had a different story about who I was. It stopped being funny when I finally confessed. At that point I was no longer Gunnar but called by a different name - insert no-so-well-lit body part here. The upside is; I adhered to my passion for doing new things. Following your passion is something we can all choose. This time next week I will be doing just that. When you receive Full Speed Ahead you will get a pre-written report on a climbing expedition. (It won't be real-time because there's no email in the middle of nowhere.) I'm leading group in a remote part of India's Himalayas. Yes there is risk involved but life seems to be too fleeting to always take the safe route. When I asked my dying father about life, he paused and said three words that echo to today. "It's too short." Your time is now. Take a chance. Since time flies, fly higher. Until next week it's full speed ahead,
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© 2010 Vince Poscente. All Rights Reserved. |
At that moment I became Gunnar Blodget. Gunnar had the name that fit his persona. You could see the pencil protector in his 10-year-old grad photo. He looked like the poster boy for the slogan, "Be nice to a nerd. He'll probably be your boss one day." So, Gunnar, if you're on a beach, sipping on a Mai Tai, enjoying the millions you made in the tech-boom. My apologies. 