How One Soars - The Contrast of Then and Now
Greetings to all my dear readers,
As I sit in front of my laptop, I gaze out at the city sky from the window next to me. Inhaling the soft breezes, I am mesmerized by the serene and tranquil beauty of the morning sun.
Lost in the breathtaking view of the open sky, scattered with glimmering clouds, I ponder a question that has been with me since childhood:
"How high can one soar?"
At 65, with my 66th birthday just a few weeks away, this question remains ever-present in my mind.
Now, with these old feet of mine, the most I can jump is maybe 6 inches. I don't dare to go higher—I could break a bone.
But what if I were on a trampoline? A small jump could push me higher, and there would be a soft space to land.
What does this mean?
How high one can jump depends on the ground one is standing on. On flat ground, one's feet or legs are the tools, and personal ability is the only option. On a trampoline, a little push by personal ability allows one to soar higher.
Imagine you are an undergraduate student in your first semester, living a new campus life that is totally different from high school. You've never experienced being away from home for so long. Then, someone asks you, "How high can you soar?" What would be your answer?
Or consider your career, whether you are at the beginning, middle, or senior stages. Running your own small enterprise. Or anything. How high can one soar?
To me, right now, as an old man, the highest soaring is no longer about material or tangible.
It is about being engulfed in moments of tranquility for as long as possible.
So, how to achieve that?
For me, my base is my personal ability to comprehend. My trampoline is writing.
By comprehending, I absorb the real meaning of why things happen.
By writing, I put that real meaning into practical life, thus giving me the joy of peacefulness.
To soar high, one needs to find their inner trampoline.
Dear readers,
How high can one soar?
In an era where everything is advancing so fast, at an almost unnoticeable speed, with untraceable flows of information, vast opportunities with hidden starting points, and overflows of distractions, as well as scam baits so enticing that they hook moments of carelessness, it feels as though we are constantly playing catch-up. '
Every day brings a new innovation or trend, flooding our senses with more data than we can possibly process. The digital age has brought with it a relentless pace, where news travels instantly, and the latest advancements become obsolete almost as quickly as they arrive.
We are surrounded by a sea of information, each piece competing for our attention, making it difficult to discern what is truly important. Opportunities, though abundant, often seem elusive, hidden behind layers of noise and misinformation.
The challenge lies not just in finding these opportunities, but in recognizing them amidst the distractions.
In this environment, scams and pitfalls lurk around every corner, preying on our moments of inattention. A single click on a seemingly harmless link can lead to disastrous consequences, and the pressure to stay vigilant can be overwhelming.
The world moves at such a dizzying speed that it often feels like we are mere spectators, struggling to keep our footing as everything around us shifts and changes.
Yet, amidst this chaos, there is also immense potential.
The same technological advancements that bring about confusion and distractions also offer unprecedented opportunities for growth and connection.
The key is finding balance—learning to navigate the fast-paced digital landscape while maintaining our focus and integrity.
It is about being discerning, taking calculated risks, and using our inner trampolines to rise above the noise and find our own path to success.
Dear readers,
Allow me to take you back to my era of pursuing adulthood.
I consider myself privileged to have been born in an era where electricity was an alien concept until my teens.
Growing up in a time when the glow of an electric light was a rarity, and the hum of modern appliances was almost non-existent, instilled in me a sense of wonder and appreciation for the simplest of things.
Information was limited to the ability to collect reading materials and read them. Books, newspapers, and the occasional radio broadcast were our primary sources of knowledge, and they required effort and intention to acquire and understand.
The process of seeking out information was slower, but it was also more deliberate, allowing for deeper reflection and comprehension.
Society constantly pushed for answers: "What is your ambition? What do you want to be?"
These questions were at the forefront of our education and upbringing.
In those days, our choices were straightforward, influenced by the tangible examples set by those around us.
We saw our parents, teachers, and community members in their respective roles, and we aspired to follow in their footsteps or carve out a similar path.
The simplicity of these choices provided a clear direction and a sense of purpose.
During those years, picking a future path was practically easy.
With fewer distractions and a more focused set of options, my generation could direct our energy and ambition towards specific goals.
We were not inundated with the overwhelming array of possibilities that today's youth face. Instead, we had clear, attainable objectives that guided our efforts.
With that aim, my generation strived.
We worked diligently, often starting from humble beginnings, to build the foundations of the technological and social advancements we see today.
Our efforts laid the groundwork for the rapid development of the modern world. We embraced education, innovation, and hard work, driving progress in every field imaginable.
Empowering the surrounding advancements so evident today was not an overnight achievement. It was the result of cumulative efforts, sacrifices, and a relentless pursuit of improvement.
We witnessed the gradual electrification of our homes, the advent of new communication technologies, and the rise of industries that have since transformed the global landscape.
Our journey was marked by a collective spirit of determination and optimism, qualities that propelled us forward despite the challenges we encountered.
Looking back, I see how the simplicity of our choices and the clarity of our ambitions provided a sturdy trampoline from which we could soar.
The experiences of my youth, coupled with the lessons learned along the way, have shaped my perspective on progress and success.
It is a perspective rooted in appreciation for both the past and the present, recognizing the value of hard work, focus, and the ability to adapt to an ever-changing world.
As I reflect on these memories, I am reminded of the importance of grounding oneself in one's principles and using personal strengths to navigate the complexities of modern life.
The foundation built by my generation continues to support the leaps and bounds of today's advancements, reminding us all of the enduring power of ambition and perseverance.
Dear readers,
The contrast between then and now is vividly noticeable, like black and white, yet there is a profound element that makes both eras a common ground for one to soar high.
It is one's determination to soar higher, to strive, to dream big, to conquer, and to turn the impossible into the possible.
No matter the era, success is always for those willing to go the extra mile.
To me, the willingness to do extra is the real trampoline waiting to be discovered.
Love,
The Old Man Em Jay