Before and After…What?

THE BOLD (Change In Service to What?):

Before and after can be addicting.  How do we let our passion for the newly arranged, the freshly painted, the revised and the improved fuel meaningful change?  How do we make sure that we will want to live in our afters?

The Whisper (Movement, Change, and Direction):

I admit it.  Sometimes I succumb to those websites with the “next” buttons that feature where are they now or celebrity before and after photos.  I’m also susceptible to before and after images of renovations and home improvement projects.  As the black and white image of a dated, faded, abused room with awkward furniture and weathered finishes morphs into a stylish, functional, up to the moment lounge of luxury, I am transported with possibilities.
Before and after stories sink their claws into my attention and I find myself chasing that next image in a time wasting frenzy of clicks.  Why?  Why is the before and after so compelling?

I think the appeal is movement.  We want to see movement.  Something that stays the same is comforting but not stimulating.  Ultimately, we know that the world will not stay static and that before and after is inevitable.  The question, though, is before and after what?  And in what direction?

If change is inevitable and we are attracted to movement, then how do we move in the right way?  Yes, the celebrity was taut and aglow in the 19-year-old before shot.  However, is the happy, paunchy, vacationing, middle-aged celebrity enjoying family and friends, wealth and accomplishment really to be pitied?  Are we paying attention to the right details and tracking the correct movement?

What would your before and after look like?  As you are moving through your life, through the time you have, are you moving towards something or away from something?

There will be many befores.  Before your dream job.  Before you learned something important.  Before you traveled to that place or engaged in that sport.  Before you lost something.  Before you knew better.  Before.

There will be afters.  After you learned the lesson.  After you achieved the goal.  After you visited the place or competed in the contest.  After you earned the reward.  After that person is gone.  After you lose the muscle tone.  After you lose the weight.  After.

What are you doing to ensure that your before/after journey is going in the best possible direction?

Our intention is important.  So is our perspective.  We intend to improve.  What evidence are we gathering to determine if a change is an improvement or a deterioration?  Are we being kind to ourselves or are we being unreasonably demanding?

It can be a useful exercise to pause and note the changes that the last week, month, year and decade have brought.  Before we make a list of failures and failings and before we compile an extensive list of to-dos and wishes, perhaps it makes sense to carefully weigh the improvements, the blessings, the gifts and the momentum that have already enriched us.  Gratitude is the lens that allows us to feel at peace in this place and inspired to move, all at the same time.  Homework, then?  I think so.