“Can we skip to the good part?
Ah, ah-ah-ah“
I won’t pretend to know the song or the artist these lyrics came from, but what I do know is how it was used in social media videos. They show a leap from a current situation to what many would consider “the good part”, which is the end, the goal, the destination.
- Expectant parents suddenly holding a new baby.
- Newly engaged couple suddenly bursting out of the church door as bride and groom.
- Family on a plane – now splashing in a tropical paradise.
- Exhausted college student slumped over computer – now resplendent in cap & gown, holding diploma.
The good part, according to Tik Tokers and other various influencers, is THERE. There is always where we are not. Where we are is HERE. Here is apparently not the good part. Here is what we have to get through to get to the good part – there.
While I won’t begrudge anyone the excitement of a big moment at the end of a lot of time and effort, I do take exception to the use of the word “good”.
Calling the destination the good part is a choice, an optional way of looking at a situation. My concern with operating from the point of view is that if the end is the good part, what does that make everything else leading up to it? The not so good part? The bad part?
Getting excited about the prospect of a big finale is not the issue either. The issue with putting all our focus on the end is that it tends to encourage us to discount everything that leads up to that moment.
The good part (the end) will be here and gone in an instant, and the not so good part will soon be our faithful companion once again.
Life is 99% journey and 1% destination. We spend more time in the not so good part. So why aren’t we more comfortable with it and in it? Wouldn’t it make more sense to consider the 99% the good part so we can enjoy life more?
If we truly believe the finish is the good part, then it makes sense we are in a rush to get there. But what would your life look like if you hit fast forward less and hit play more?
What if here and now IS the good part?
PS: I did look it up the song lyrics to be able to give proper credit – here you go).
Betsy is a certified life coach, running coach and blogger who helps midlife women find satisfaction where they are now and inspiration to go after their big goals.
To learn more about working with Betsy, click here.