Some Days Really Suck…and Some Days You’re the Answer

This Halloween, I took a risk and wore a costume that I knew few would recognize. . .42 – the Answer to Life, the Universe, Everything. For those who may not know, it is a literary construct, a reference to Douglas Adams‘ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. So at work at least, my position in Nerd-dom was forever secured on Wednesday.  As I had anticipated, I had to do a lot of explaining, and few people got it. But those few expressions of realization coupled with raucous laughter and the one student I inspired to read the book was well worth the time spent.

And all of that brings me to the overall point of this post. Few of us, myself included, are probably where we thought we would be at our current age, especially if we think back on what we planned to be when we were 8, 10, and 12 years old. Sometimes, it is very easy to get discouraged with life as we run through thoughts like, “Why can’t I catch a break?”, “When is it my turn?”, “Why her and not me?” I try not to point fingers, but unfortunately, our culture reinforces wishing on stars and not losing hope to make our dreams come true. In no way do I think that we should stop dreaming and hoping, but very often, the answer we are really looking for lies inside. The answer really is you, what you decide, and what you choose to do. You and I are 42. No one ever achieved goals by just dreaming and wishing. It takes a metric ton (or maybe 10 or 20) to actually achieve something in this life, and that’s okay. Surviving has always been a challenge to humans, let alone thriving. The power, the “big break”, the “turn” comes from our decision and actions, and every major human event throughout history started with a passion and an idea. Is there something to being in the right place at the right time? Of course. But I would be willing to bet that those who were in the right place at the right time spent a lot of energy and time getting to that spot. So next time you’re asking those “Why him and not me” questions, decide what you want and work. Yes, you will have to bust your tail; yes, there will be days that suck (probably a lot of them); but remember…

 

Some days really suck…and some days, you’re the Answer.