Sometimes you have to let things go...

I have recently had a visit to my family and home town in Ontario, Canada. What a difference from the Bay Area in California. It is always so welcoming to get home to family and friends, see familiar places from your past, and breathe in the nostalgia that comes with it all. I spent a few days in Toronto, did some business with the Professional Lacrosse Players Association and partied like a rock star at the Toronto film festival. When the work and play was over, I ventured three hours North to Port Elgin Ontario.

I bumped in a number of old friends while in Toronto. They were people that I referred to as being “blasts from the past”. They were people who held a different place or time in my life. Some of them were friends that played a more major role while others may have had a less significant impact, but an impact never the less. Previously, I have referred to the idea of “bumbling along through the universe” and this was one of those weekends. So I bumbled along, even stumbled a couple times after having had a few drinks.

It got me thinking. Life seems so random at times and at the same time it can often feel like it is all planned out. I traded war stories with the people that I met and we caught up to different degrees. It was great to hear that they were doing well, and each one of them was able to give me a brief update on a few other friends.

Our friends and environment have such a vital role in defining who we are as we grow. Think about this for a second? Can a place begin to hold us back, once we have used up what it had to offer us? Can people do the same thing? Is it possible that certain people and places are meant to hold a short period of time in our lives, pass along whatever is intended of them, get from us what they need, and then move on? I would suggest that it is. With each person that I met, I was taken back to a time and place, and with it I can remember where I was in my life, and how far I have traveled forward from that point. In any of these places and times, I could have settled down, and I can think of people that did exactly that, but instead I have continually chosen to continue bumbling along. Each place and time has left its mark on me and helped to evolve. Looking back I can’t imagine who I’d be if I had stayed in any of those places for longer than I did?

I don’t know where exactly I am going with this. I guess the point is that sometimes you have to stop and evaluate where you are in life, evaluate the people that you are surrounding yourself with, and think about whether it is time let some of it go, let it fade into the background, knowing that it will be fine without you, and you’ll be better off for moving forward. It might hurt a little at the time, but like any small pain, it’ll get better.
Ultimately, you’ll be better off having added the experience to the ol’ belt.