Potential

I remember hearing someone say they were sick of hearing about potential.  They wanted to see results and outcomes.  Their thought was that potential is only just that.  It does not mean a thing unless it produces results.
I understand that, but this morning I had a different take on it.  Potential may be squandered.  In my early days I may have a lot that lies before me.  In later years I may have let go by a heap of opportunities.
But this morning I thought, “potential is still there.”  Maybe in the natural course of events I could produce less than I might - but I can still produce.
It seems there are those who take the bull by the horns.  Those who know what they want and go for it.  They can be incredibly productive and world beaters.  Many others though could not be bothered, or take it for granted, or think maybe they have more time than they do.  Whatever the reason their potential is not lived up to.  Opportunities were seized by another.  What was theirs for the taking became the fruit of someone else’s labour.
Yet whatever happens I do not think it is the end of the story.  The end of this story begins when I beath my last.  Until then I still have potential that can be met.
I am a big advocate of letting another live their own life.  It is never my role to live another’s life for them.  I can respond when asked or lovingly warn.  But someone needs to find out things for themselves.  It is not my role to live for you, but it is my role to be there for you.
I admit I really feel for older people.  Many opportunities may lie behind, but many opportunities lie ahead also.  I am fond of saying “your best years are ahead of you.”
It seems that in this day and age in particular older people are despised.  I am thankful a couple of systems may be in place, but I cannot help but feel there is a lot of waiting for the older ones to die so that the newer ideas can be embraced fully and without encumbrances.
I happen to think many new ideas are good and worth pursuing.  I also think many old ideas are good to.  While some ways of doing things may eventually be abandoned, it was those that the new ideas are built on.
I think both are good.  Younger people and ideas are great for the energy and enthusiasm they bring.  Older people are good for the wisdom and steadying influence they bring.  Silver hair definitely does not guarantee wisdom - but it can be a hallmark of not just age but what is needed.
I happen to think there is much potential missed by discarding totally what is old for the new.
I look at it as going out with a bang rather than a whimper.  There are many things that slow down and side track, but there is nothing outside me that can realize my potential.