Do you know what the problem with
people is? We always miss the moments! Your crush tells you they are
moving across the world and your answer is “OK!” when really you
want to scream “No! Don’t go! Don’t you dare leave me in this
limbo!” The love of your life takes a sudden interest in someone
else, and for the sake of friendship or diplomacy or Christ only
knows what else, you practically organise their wedding for them. The
whole time you’re thinking “I love you more than mere words can
express” I will love you till China and Africa meet. But we
never say how we feel. And on the off chance that we do confess our
hearts desires, we do it when it is all wrong, then we apologise
profusely for our awful sense of timing. I think it’s because we’ve
come to expect so little of the world. Timing is of no relevance to
you if you believe the outcome to be inevitable.
It isn’t
just about love either, it’s everything. Having the opportunity to
do something profound with your life and passing up the chance
because you think you’re unprepared or unworthy. Really, all you
are is afraid. Afraid that if we venture into the unknown, we might
not like who we’ve become when we have to leave. Sometimes it is
ignoring an opportunity to say something life changing to someone,
honestly answering a question that you’ve spent so much time lying
about, it has become second nature. We have all told that lie, when
someone asks “How are you?” and you say “I’m fine!” with
pride, joy and a beaming smile. But underneath it all you are far
from fine. Of course I’m not asking us to hold our heart out on a
platter every time someone offers a simple greeting. That would be
slightly awkward. But there are times, you have to admit, when you
just need to honestly answer: “I’m not fine, in fact I’m awful.
My day has been horrible, my week even worse and if I have to smile
and play happy families one more time I might actually pull my teeth
out with pliers.”
It’s outrageous and scary, almost
humorous even. But it is oh so liberating at the same time! The truth
is we are all guilty of letting the important moments slip through
the hourglass.
