It's one thing to regret the time that got away from you; it's another to regret lost time that's still in the future.
A couple of weeks ago, a poster on an outdoor bulletin board observed that Michigan's grouse season began in just 90 days. This set off an eager discussion of trips planned, hopes for season, etc.
When I thought about my own hunting prospects this year, I became depressed. I thought of all the obligations already on my calendar for prime October weekends. I thought of my increased teaching load which will have me on campus more often and bringing more work home. I thought of home projects that will need to be completed before it gets too cold. And I became angry at being cheated out of my season.
I feel this way about a lot of things. Already it feels like my summer is lost, with me having done only a fraction of the fishing and writing I'd hoped to. Now it seems like the start of classes is just around the corner, with loads of things to get ready before it comes.
I feel like weeks have been taken from me before I ever received them.
When I see myself thinking this way, I feel foolish.
There is a lot that's good about my life as it is. And as far as I can tell, there will be regardless of how many outings I get to take, or how heavy my workload is. (Or, more to the point now, how slowly my porch rebuild is progressing). Inadequate attention to these facts make it easier for the future to color the present with despair. Focused on potential losses, I cast aside gifts in hand.
It's time to go offline for a bit and take a closer look around.
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