As I sit here on the train with my laptop open, contemplating writing a blog post about my new year’s resolutions and what those would actually be, I slowly became aware of this older woman in the opposite seat staring at me, with a very intense, curious, thoughtful kind of look on her face.
Now, she didn’t appear to be a psycho or stoned on antidepressants or anything, so it wasn’t like a crazy sort of stare. She was well dressed in business attire, was holding an expensive looking leather briefcase, and seemed well off, professional and intelligent enough.
She seemed somehow familiar, as if I have seen her before or maybe she just resembled someone I know. Not sure, but regardless, she was obviously fascinated with what I was doing, which, to be honest, pretty much amounted to just spacing off, looking out the window thinking, and dripping coffee on my shirt
So what was the deal?
As I fought to restrain my first impulse to fire back a look of, “So what the hell are you staring at, weirdo?” and to make up a better explanation than maybe I just forgot to wipe the toothpaste from the sides of my mouth again and looked like an idiot, (i do that sometimes…) instead, a strange, elaborate alternate (MUCH more rational) explanation started to form in my mind.
What if: this woman was actually a time traveler from the future? What if she was actually some sort of tourist who liked to go back in time and witness, in person, historical world changing events?
What if: at this very moment in time, I was on the verge of an idea that would drastically change mankind? The very first spark, a lightbulb moment of an idea that would influence world peace or some massive change for good that would permanently change history for the better? What if that was why she was here?
What if: instead of some amazing, positive idea, I was on the verge of making the worst mistake of my life? Something that would negatively impact my life and the lives of my family, friends or the world?
What if: this person was a future relative? What if she were actually my 2 year old daughter, now all grown up, or her children, or children’s children just wanting to see for themselves what made Daddy, or Great Grandpa think up this crazy, amazing or stupid idea?
What if: that time was NOW and instead of me sitting here, it was actually YOU, and YOU were on the verge of making a very important decision that would dramatically effect your life for better. Or worse…
What would that idea or decision be?
What decision was right at the tip of your mind right this very second, but you weren’t aware of it because maybe you weren’t paying attention?
I bet that something IS right at the tip of your mind right now. You just need some motivation and the decision to act on it.
I know what mine is. That’s why this woman sitting across from me made such a strange impression. Call it synchronicity, call it a hunch, but I somehow knew it was more than that. I’ll tell you more about that soon.
For now though, just keep in mind that inspiration comes at the strangest times. Sometimes as a storybook moment with clouds parting, sunbeams, trumpets and angels singing with fireworks going off, and sometimes, we’re just sitting there on the toilet, picking our noses and humming Lady GaGa.
It would definitely be worth traveling back in time to witness some of these events, wouldn’t it? I bet we would be surprised at what that moment actually looked like. Like a random apple falling from a tree, or an “I have a dream” or just a simple “hmmm…”
I don’t know what my point is with all of this, other than I just wanted to share and give you some food for thought,
Think about it and let me know. (and by the way, don’t forget to wipe the toothpaste from the sides of your mouth…)
Send me an email or make a comment on this post. I would love to hear from you.
Sean Earley is an American digital consultant, podcast host, speaker, publisher & music producer. He advises Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurs and organizations on innovation, new technology, strategy, communications, marketing & design. He is the host of several podcasts and makes regular appearances on international media platforms where he discusses the latest trends in technology, culture, business and politics.
