Though it was long time ago in a state far, far away, I can still vividly remember being the one child in my family who always insisted on wearing fancy dress clothes. I gained a sort of reputation within my immediate family. Whether it was going to school, watching my brother’s hockey game, or even going to bed, I, with my parents reluctant help, would make sure my number four shirt was properly tucked in, that my shoes matched the color of my belt, and that my tie was perfectly tied. I was young and may have developed a sort of fascination or obsession with looking snazzy. But, when randomly discussing and thinking about my adolescent antics the other day, I arrived at a much stronger conclusion.
I believe that in my younger years I was not obsessed with dressing up as a businessman or looking dashingly handsome (maybe a little), but rather, just like many of us are, I was infatuated by the desire to become successful. Fascinated by the idea that one day I will arrive at the destination of success, and all my past worries, obligations or tribulations will vanish once I cross that finish line. That one day, like my father and my father before him, I will too be able to dress up in a suit, say bye to the family, drive off to work, and arrive at my superstar job with not a worry in the world. But that naive idea of success was short-lived, and as age and wisdom swept my adolescent tendencies under the couch, I stopped wearing my dress clothes and dreaming of future success. Not because I grew out of my toddler suit or obsession with the idea of success, but I believe my definition of the word success was transformed and altered through experience.
It was not instantaneous, but I began not thinking of success solely in terms of the tangible results I received through tests, competition, or finish lines. Rather I began defining success through the small, subjective and slightly noticeable victories that I was achieving everyday. Cooking a bomb-ass-dank-ass meal, riding a seemingly never-ending wave, learning something new and relevant, or enjoying the act of watching the sun set—those are my successes. The moments that epitomize, and provide a direct route, to the right now. Too frequent, in my opinion, is our self worth and success judged and based on monetary values or numerical scores that seem to wave cunningly from the future. They unfortunately, control and influence our everyday lives. But they are irrelevant. Those big picture successes only arise if one recognizes, and appreciates, the small steps that lead to the top of the stairs. So, don’t play victim to the numbers of the future, but be active and present in the subjective successes that you achieve everyday. Brick by brick, one can turn small victories into monstrous achievements.
In conclusion, the word present has multiple meanings. One, it means to offer someone a gift of symbolic value. Two, it is the act of being, living, and existing in the time at hand. It is no coincidence that these two separate definitions embody themselves into one powerful word. So, I’d like to think that I am granting you the present of the present. The power to judge ones life minute by minute, hour by hour, through the countless successes and victories that we accomplish every day. Whether it be mastering a new chemical formula, enjoying the great outdoors, writing down a bright idea, or discovering a rad new band, that is success. So find your digs, fulfill your passions, enjoy the moment, and know that success will come to those you have the ability to recognize it, not to those who wait for it to come knockin' at their door.
