Potential
"You might be curious as to why I'm taking an interest in your future. It's because you have a future."
Such sentiments motivate and energize me, especially when they are expressed by someone I admire and consider a mentor. On my more optimistic days, they reaffirm the faith I have in my own competencies and abilities. They serve as both an ego boost and an ego check.
On my more pessimistic days, the words worry me. They have the unusual weight of expectations. I question how this person can have more confidence in me than I have in myself. Why can't I always see this potential?
The concern about potential has been on my mind for some time. Will I know when I've peaked? Am I in my prime right now or has it already past? There is no colorful bell-shaped graph to show where I am on the curve. It's never that simple.
Some time ago, I remember reading that the average major league baseball player peaks at the age of 27. Past that age, most players see a decline in their strength, speed, agility or overall performance. The analysts were able to draw such conclusions from a wealth of baseball records and statistical data. I just wish they could give the peak age of the average me.
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birdwalking4 Comments
I wouldn't worry so much about peaking. I think the average person goes through plenty of peaks and valleys throughout life. And often when one aspect of your life is in a rut it just means a peak is on the horizon.
obligatory geeky reference: life is like a sine wave ...---^^^---...---^^^---...
I agree. Peaking is so relative. Some of us are late-bloomers. It's self-defeating to worry about reaching your peak at a fixed point in time or whether you've gone past it. Umm, enjoy your sine wave, wherever you are! :P
thanks, guys.
oh, wait, this isn't my blog! *blush*
I'll have to keep the sine wave in mind the next time I wander down the worrying path. Idealizing a certain moment in the past or holding out for the "big moment" is unrealistic and self-defeating (as nicely noted).
And since this <i>is</i> my blog, I should also say thanks. :P