Five years from now...

Looking at journal prompt for kids…

Journal prompt for an elementary school student: Where do you see yourself in five years?

When I read this prompt, a few things went through my head.  In the Blitzkrieg of thoughts however, the one that stood out was how the answer to such a question changes with age. When you’re young “five years from now” feels like an eternity, and as one gets older, it is clear that “five years from now” happens in a few blinks.

As this was originally intended for a young student, I can only imagine (or vaguely recall) how a fifth grader might answer. Thoughts of a romanticized high school experience along the lines of a great Full House episode may appear. (And yes, I just called Full House great). Your current best friend will still be at your side, naturally. This accompanies other grand notions of high school liberties, oddities, and possibilities.

When we’re in high school, we dream of college and independence, friends and boyfriends, perhaps even apartments and careers. There will be plenty of money and the responsibilities will be of the fun variety as seen on Friends. Heck, the idea that life will be a personal version of Friends isn’t such a bad idea either. After all, five years makes anything possible.

At 20, things begin to pick up speed and the delusions of five year grandeur begin to take shape with a little more life experience thrown into the mix. Personally, I figured that by the time I was 25, I was going to be married (even had someone in mind to fill that role), be a brilliant teacher at my Alma Mater, be wiser, somehow thinner (not sure where that one fit in logically, but it was on the list), travel the world, and live in a different city – somewhere fabulous of course.

When I actually reached the quarter century mark, I had accomplished, oh, not a thing on that grand list. I had at least graduated from college, though that took longer than planned. I did have a nice apartment in a new city: Corona (not exactly fabulous). I did not, however, even have a passport, stamp-free though it would have been. I wasn’t married; heck, it had been at least a year since I had even spoken to the man with whom I was so sure I would spend my life. So…

When I took stock of my life, I knew that it wasn’t bad- I had people with whom I had fun, some even good friends, a nice guy I was dating, and enough frivolity to occupy my time- but I was not fulfilled. Finally at 26, I got off my butt and realized I had to act right then and there. I went back to school and began teaching. A year after that, a nice Irishman placed a stamp in my passport. I also thanked God I was not married – it would have stunted so much that I discovered about myself. And therein lies the true accomplishment: a change in mindset. There would be no more “five years from now”; there would be only “now.”

At 30, I look at this question and smile at the possibilities. I may be married; I may be single; I may be in the same apartment; I may be in a new city. Really only God knows. The only certainty is that I will savor the good and learn from the bad. I will enjoy every moment and seek out new adventure. My “now” for the next five years (and beyond) will be amazing - whatever they may hold.