The stint to the grave starts from conception, from that moment we are conceived in the womb our time on earth is ticking away. Who would say “Yes” to death at any point early on the time scale, perhaps no one. There is a preconceived notion when death may be ok, a point in the time line, perhaps after seventy, eighty, perhaps even ninety. This is obviously part science, part opinion, mostly attitude (just like happiness). Our mortal coil is finite and the above milestones stand out as logical phases when our journey might hit the final punctuation. Of course, tragedy, sickness, starvation, injury are significant tributaries that feed in to this passage. Where one might beg for the sweet release of rest, of the permanent kind. But, I’m looking at the natural order, other things being equal.

Who would love to race to the grave? Anyone? I have spent the last few decades doing just that. I hope, I’m not alone. Mostly in my working life. Wishing for Friday, hanging out for the weekend the moment Monday swings by. It might even start at the close of Sunday. Surely not a conscious mental decision, but it is now. What am I doing? I’m thinking death is better than staring at a screen at work. Come Friday, I’ll be five days closer to the pyre, the dust. So, I have wished away my days, my decades, preferring death over work. Some work at least. I feel bitter, I have regrets. I’d love to turn the clock back, travel back in time. Re-start the journey with a spanking new mindset. But I only have what’s left, just this moment I’m tapping away at the keyboard. I hope I’m making it count, at least now.

But the eternal question. How? Confucius mentioned that ‘the day one starts loving work, they stop working.’ Now isn’t that a start. I believe quite vehemently, that everyone is a genius, a star, in something, perhaps more than one thing. But at least one thing. Find it and hone it. That’s the mantra. Find it and hone it. The vast majority of humanity will not find it. I’ve flogged this idea in my blogs, can’t help it. So many, far too many, will be busy avoiding bombs, dodging bullets, negotiating with hunger, begging for good health, finding a roof, they will never have the time to find it. They are part of our own tribe, the human tribe. There can only be one.

But at least those who can, and still don’t know, are committing a crime. A crime against self. Ask, morning and night, and day. “What do I love to do everyday?” Can the answer abscond for too long? I think not. Then a guy at work whispers after a long pause, a full minute even.

“But…but, mortgages, school fees, kids…?”

He pauses again. Don’t know why he whispered, there was no one around. Perhaps he was scared of hurting himself. He is close to retirement. He has fought the good battle, at least the financial battle and is close to triumph. Victory?

“Finding the next million is not the purpose, finding purpose through discovery is the aim.”

I whisper back. Not sure why I whispered as well. Discovery of your genius and working at it. It was a truth that crash landed on me, an epiphany, just at that very moment. Yes, that’s the sweet spot, when you engage with your genius everyday perhaps you can wish differently. Even while doing the same job, even while plodding from nine to five. It’s not entirely about earning the first million, paying the bills. Perhaps, then…perhaps you can beat physics. As in, we can hope for the day to crawl and expect a blur. Not just the weekends. The way we act when on vacations. When we want to hold back on time, but it goes on turbo.

I’m engaging with the keyboard right now and loving it. The same keyboard, but what a different feeling. I don’t want to race to the grave anymore, a sedate walk would do.