SOMEWHERE IN TIME

I love that song and the concept that time is a tangible, reachable place. Somewhere in time, we can go to, linger in, visit however briefly before having to return to the present. Where would you go, and what would you do? And if you could, would it change the present? Would you really want it to? Would you dare to visit the past or the future---or do you trust fate more, believing in a sort of divine plan? Or that you must stay the course for whatever reason? Play the hand you're dealt, no matter what? Last night I saw a movie which explored this idea---"Kate and Leopold". It was a romantic story of a man from the 1700's who accidentally slips through a sort of worm hole of time into our century, where he meets the woman of his dreams. Of course they fall in love, but, well---you can imagine the complications that result. How they solve their colossal bad timing, makes for a thought provoking movie. Are we as humans doomed to be the recipients of good or bad timing in our life's journey? Or is our challenge to have the courage to take control of fate's wheel and drive ourselves in a different direction? History is full of people who had the stamina to change not just themselves, but whole nations--for good or for evil. Hitler, of course, was the epitome of evil as he sought to change Germany into his perverted version of a great country. Lyndon Johnson perhaps changed the world when he de-escalated the war in Viet Nam, by pulling our troops out without a clear victory. His choice was made easier by a very vocal and strong group of Americans who wanted out of that contentious war. Both Johnson and those who voiced their concerns were mega-movers in the course of history. President George W. Bush has to be counted as a huge force of change when he took us to war against Iraq, and then chose to stay in it, even against popular opinion. President Obama also has to be recognized as someone who has greatly changed this country with the passage of the Health Care Bill. These are not people who took the easy road.


It has been said, we make up our own stories with whatever we have to work with as we go along, and that we either build our own cages or, if we're lucky, live our dreams. I like to think that's true---that while we are limited somewhat by our circumstances, where there is a will there will be a way to walk a different path, and not simply wait for the winds of change to make the decisons for us. If timing really is everything,as some say, then the trick is in recognizing that moment, seizing the worm hole in time---- to say the right words, make the right choice,say "yes I can", "I will", "I must",---- or sometimes, "No, I cannot--the price is too high."

Most life determining decisions happen early on, and most of us are not wise enough in our youth to discern what is best for a lifetime of living---and so we become quite good at adapting, adjusting, re-setting,and learning to compromise---because, unfortunately, it does get too late sometimes for do-overs. But are there not times when we can, if not do over, begin again? There are those who are afraid that they are not wise enough to write their own stories-- and that they would rather, like it or not, allow for the plot lines to be randomly written for them by events seemingly out of their control, or by divine decree, and even that they are somehow fulfilling a need, fitting into an empty space, for the universe to complete its mysterious puzzle. That approach removes the burden of making tough choices. I know people like that, too. Miserably unhappy, yet unwilling or too afraid to change, they yield to their fate.

The question remains and haunts--is our somewhere in time already decided---or can we, even as we see our time running out, run through a door, previously closed, but now beckoning---and live free to do as you wish. In the book, "Eat, Pray, and Love", the author details her true life story of how she did just that--she ran away from a life she no longer identified with. This book became wildly popular among female readers and is now out as a movie. It must have resonated with women, who sometimes feel trapped, but unable to leave their assigned and traditional roles in society. However,the book and the movie were also criticized and unrelatable to many women,in that the author had no children or financial constraints, so her decision to break away was uncomplicated by those very important circumstances. And therein lies the answer as to why most of us choose not to change---and rightly so. Personal responsibility must trump all--- or we are nothing at all at the end of the day. There are morals, valor and wisdom in accepting, to a point, our life's story, no matter the author or circumstances. The happiest people among us seem to be those who have learned to choose to be content, or at least, not miserable, no matter what life throws at them. And perhaps that's because they have realized that in real life, there are rarely worm holes or escape hatches to a different paradigm---but the great and wonderful thing about life is that as someone once said, "there are chances and changes everywhere". Every now and then a window of time opens and allows for a slight shift, and sometimes even a door opens just enough to squeeze through without guilt or regret to a whole new world---that's what movies and dreams are made of. But once in a while, even real life surprises us, if not with a dramatic change, the gift of a golden key to unlock a dream---whether it is to move to a different locale, change careers, take that adventure trip,serve as a volunteer in a foreign country--- or whatever else that requires more courage than ever you've had before. When and if it that time comes, say yes, be ready, grab it, and fly--it may be safer, less risky to stay put--but if you do, you will not be alone. Regret may be your constant companion. May your somewhere in time be now, or just around the next bend---