The uncertainty of your position.
I’ve just finished watching a recent TED talk by Malcom Gladwell where he revisits his position on broken windows in his book the Tipping Point. Specifically the effect on young men and the crime rate pre and post Floyd Merriweather’s death. It’s an interesting and humbling watch and it’s made me think.
I’m going through a bit of a mid life crisis. For the first time in my life at 47 and despite being relatively healthy - I’m intensely aware of my age, my achievements to date and how long I may or may not have left to to the things I still want to do. I’m aware of my performance and how people perceive me more than ever and I’m aware of over the past 5 or so years how anxious, isolated and fragile I have let myself become. To the point where I wonder if my introverted nature has become somewhat agoraphobic. I’ve also become aware that as a middle aged, comfortable white man, that despite my own personal challenges - I have it quite good in this world. That I hold opinions and beliefs that are perhaps worth revisiting and that maybe despite thinking that I’m open minded that (deep breath) perhaps I’m not or at the very least that I have some uncertainty in my currently held position.
Malcom’s talks about this. How uncertainty of position is a strength that, can be held when young but is often realised over time. How you’re not always right and how it’s a super power to be humble to being wrong. I’m going to embrace this. I’m also going to do my best to get out of this goddam house more often.