I wrote this many years ago, just after my divorce. It hit me one day that everything would be okay, regardless of any worst-case scenario I could imagine. I realized I no longer needed to control every aspect of my life.
What if...
- someone threw away your computer, iPad, iPhone and camera?everything you ever worked on disappeared
- all your emails, photos, documents, software projects and ideas?
- all your books, self-help CDs, and music, went up in smoke?
- you never listened to any bit of advice that anyone, including those you really respect, had ever given you?
- you never did what you perceive that others think you should do?
- you didn't save the world?
- you never traveled to an exotic location, or even outside the country, again?
- you never published a book or gave a Ted talk or "impressed " anyone?
- you never became a professional photographer or artist or coach?
- all of your "friends" became disappointed in you or thought you were making bad decisions, even to the point where they walked away?
- you never got into good shape?
- you never learned how to be diligent, methodical programmer?
- you never "fix" another single person?
- you don't get married and/or have children?
- society always viewed you a not quite making it because you still live with roommates, etc.?
- you don't convince the world what's right?
- you never completely understand the past?
- you don't own a corporation?
- you are the black sheep?
- people think you are a criminal?
- someone finds this list?
- your dreams don't come true and your fears do?
- you blow a ton of money on yourself instead of giving it away?
- your peers think you're not as smart as you think you are or as they previously thought you were?
- you get arrested for something you didn't do for for that matter something you did do or unintentionally did?
- you had everything but lost it all?
- you started another business with all your new knowledge, yet still failed?
- despite your best efforts to be fashionable and hygienic, you are neither?
- you never fully reconcile your childhood?
- your parents never really get you?
- karma doesn't exist?
- republicans are right?
- you are never able to reconcile with your ex-wife or past friends or girlfriends you have have harmed, whether or not intentionally?
- you're not as smart or nice as you think you are?
Everything would be fine.