Future Shock

​Totally weird.  What I lie in bed and think about.
I was thinking of my dad.  He spoke of learning the piano at about 92.  Little did he realize he had about five years, or 260 weeks left.  If at 30 he thought the same thing, and 70 was the age lived to, that is like 2080 weeks.  A lot longer.
A couple of points were bought home to me.  The first was, if I want to do something, I should just do it, as none of us knows how long we have.  Lately I have been trying to discard the things that are not important to me.  It is doing all in the light of a clear goal.  So often I act like I have all the time in the world, but that is not true.  I along with everyone, have an appointment I cannot avoid.
I can mosey along thinking I will get to it, but that is not guaranteed.  I had a real reputation for just getting things done.  It was not that I used a special knack.  It was just if I had it to do, I did it sooner rather than later.  My idea was if I did what I had to do, it freed up time to do what I wanted to do.  It stood me in good stead.  Not by some magic formula or because I was a workaholic.  It is just the way I am.
I am older now, but I reckon the principle is the same.  My time is less.  I do not know what I have.  But I do know I can dilly dally and perhaps miss out, or shun what gets in the way.  As always.  My choice.
The other thing I saw from what I was considering is to strike while the iron is hot.  To my mind it is rightly said to tell someone you love them now, as there is no guarantee there will be another chance.
I think of having 2080 weeks to learn the piano.  The thing for me is, if it is done now, all sorts of undreamed-of doors can open.  It may mean the difference of being in a band or working in the factory.  Each is important and matters.  But it is best if the person that works in the factory, aspires to work in the factory.
It is incredibly sad to me if someone is working in a factory, but really dreamed of being in a band.  Nothing stopped them except themselves.  Leaning something takes work.  But it opens doors.  Anyone up the ladder had to climb to get there.
I can drift into something or determine to get into something.  The thing is, no matter where I end up, there are friends and those that will help me along the way.  Most places people have been before me.  In rare cases someone breaks new ground.  If that is what I am after, I will do it.  I will consider it worth the cost.
Why does this matter?  It seems most have “what might have beens.”  Things like that are clearer when older.  I acted like I had all the time in the world.  Suddenly I am 62 and it almost seems I got here before I knew it.
I have made mistakes.  If I can help it, I would prefer others did not make the same mistakes.  I can drift or go somewhere under my own steam – either way I will end up some place.
Thank you Darryl S for quote by Abe Lincoln.