There was a report on the news this morning about some study on climate change. A woman was saying that people probably think this last decade was exceptionally hot, but with climate change, the next decade will be much hotter such that our current temperatures will seem relatively mild.
When I heard this, my first thought was, “why is this still being reported like it’s some surprising news that no one considered before?” But I was in the middle of doing other things, so I continued on with my morning without thinking much more of it.
That is, until just a moment ago when I was reminiscing about how relatively carefree life used to be, and lamenting how troublesome life seems to be right now. Pandemic aside, I feel like this year has brought a lot more “responsible adult” tasks for me.
(Is there a point in adulthood when there is no more to learn about being an adult, and you can just get on with life i.e. relaxing, doing nothing, etc? Probably not?)
But another news report this morning said that the US and UK are still very much in the uphill stage of the pandemic, with cases increasing at a concerning rate. A lot of Australians I know think we’ve been pretty lucky with how we’ve come out of this, particularly people in my state/city.
So while things are not ideal, someone from overseas might think that our conditions are pretty mild. And what of future generations? Who knows what is in store for them — bushfires, hailstorms, illness — and to what severity? Maybe they’ll also think our current conditions are mild, our worries trifling.
Of course, I don’t mean to discount our present struggles. But I think there is only so much lamenting that one ought to indulge in. So while this post might sound rather pessimistic, I’d like to think it’s more of a pessimistic optimism — bright side, silver linings and all that.
As for climate change — well, perhaps that’s best left for another post, perhaps written by someone else.
And, finally, a reminder:
‘It is my good luck that, although this has happened to me, I can bear it without pain, neither crushed by the present nor fearful for the future.’
– Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
pistachio conspiracy #63 
Interesting reflections.
Good point. This year may turn out to be the “good old days” for some future generations. Make no assumptions & keep moving forward.
Yes, and remember there are still some good things in life too 😊
Hmmm. I wrote my post today before I’d seen yours; they dovetail rather nicely if I may say so! And let me be the first to sadly answer that pesky question: no, there is never in life a place I refer to as “coasting”, where it’s all been worked out & you can relax & enjoy the ride.😐 There’s *pockets* of it. You have to figure that even if you’re doing fine, maybe the people you love aren’t. And older people tend to have health troubles, so there’s that. The best I can offer is that in time your coping skills usually improve cuz you’ve seen a lot of it before.
I once wrote a post suggesting much of what you’re saying; that at any given point (in life) you might look back and reflect on the present as the “good” years. I try to remember this all the time, especially in those times when dissatisfied with some or much of my current lot.
Another thoughtful post, Sharon.
Thanks Colette 😊
Ah yes, I was afraid there was not going to be any significant stretch of coasting, but I suppose coasting probably gets quite dull after a while anyway. That’s a good point about considering the state of others even (or especially) when you’re doing fine.
Interesting, yes. Let me know if you do find that point in adulthood where one can simply relax!!!!!!! (Retirement??? I’ve still got a long way to go)
Haha yes, retirement feels like a long, long way away! Perhaps I’ll settle for any life phase where one can at least relax more than they worry/stress/struggle etc
I’d take that too