Entry Zero

Everyone associates the coming of a new year as a potential turning point, whether for their personal or professional lives, but I have to admit there’s something special about this year’s celebration and that’s because it comes with the distinct tag of being “a new decade”.

Oddly enough, I learned that there’s somewhat of a debate on how the start of a decade is defined: whether it should be marked with 2020 or with 2021. I personally find myself in the first camp—or I would not be writing this post for another twelve months. Regardless, the very idea of a new decade puts one in a rather reflective mood.

A new decade. Wow.

It is kind of crazy when you really think about how much can happen in ten years. On my end, 2010-2019 covers almost a full third of my lifetime.

And what did happen to me?

I flipped a coin to study communication, enjoyed the hell out of philosophy and theology, and got into my current career thanks to an unrelated personal hobby. I graduated twice, dipped my feet into law school, and became a cog of the workforce.

I traveled at least 23 times between eight different countries. I ended up in amusing situations with the Japanese police twice and the Hong Kong police once. I met so many people and made several great friends.

I both found and lost love. I discovered several life changing epiphanies about myself, and my relationships with people around me. I have three niblings and another one coming up in a few months.

It’s certainly a path that I would never have imagined. I found myself doing things that the person I was in 2010 would likely have been shocked, happy and yes, also disappointed to hear about.

Do I have good memories? Of course. Do I have regrets? Certainly. If I was offered a do-over with my current memories intact, I would be lying if I said I would reject the option immediately. But unfortunately I am not Max Caulfield and once choices have been made, there’s no turning back no matter how much we may ask for it, and sometimes we simply have no control over the circumstances.

So what can we do but deal with the outcomes as best we can and keep driving ourselves forward? To hope that there is more, and to remember that we are not alone.

To the new decade, and the uncharted paths we find ourselves upon.

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say

Bilbo Baggins, The Fellowship of the Ring