It was the Best of Times. It was the Worst of Times.

October 18, 2020

Is it the best of times or the worst of times? Charles Dickens wrote that famous opening line of “A Tale of Two Cities” in 1859. He wrote it as a statement, not a question. I suppose it was the best of times for some people and the worst of times for others, just as it is today.

Some are suffering and others are thriving. What makes the difference?

It depends on how we choose to look at it. Long before Dickens wrote those famous words, Shakespeare said, “Nothing is good or bad but thinking makes it so.” I think Shakespeare knew something about mindsets.

Maybe we’re all on a hero’s journey. We’re hearing the call to adventure. Some of us are heeding the call and crossing the threshold into a new world; others are resisting the call and trying to hold on to what we know. The Buddha tells us that attachment is the root of suffering. Letting go is hard.

Here’s a short video that I recorded as I was thinking about where I am in my life during this best and worst of times. Where are you in your life?

Pat Whitty is a certified health coach, workplace wellness consultant, twice MEA alum, and Modern Elder Whisperer from San Antonio, TX.