Indiana Jones is probably the most appropriate symbol for managing (or not managing) change in our lives. He represents the adventurous (and constant) portrayal facing the unexpected around every corner, during any moment (life) and the quest in seeking truth and preserving history (sound familiar?).
According to research, a significant moment in our lives is moving. After returning to my roots in 2006, here in the San Francisco Bay Area, it’s The Return of the Jedi for me back to Southern California. These days living in transition has, is and will be a prominent way of life, so yes I do imagine myself wearing Indiana Jones weathered, yet distinguished Fedora hat.
Selling and buying a home requires one to be in a constant high alert mode of adaptability. Our present home is in “open house” state, and adhering to our realtor’s advice all personal effects have been removed, including family photos. After prepping the house inside and out, I sometimes feel as if I am a visitor within my own home. I imagine this experience might be similar to renting a property through airbnb. Personally, I have no interest to ever consider using the services of airbnb, I mean to each his or her own; but that’s not me. My preference is to vacation at a Marriott or Hilton Hotel, rather than some stranger’s house. Following this airbnb concept I suppose the next business venture in the horizon will be renting someone’s personal car – no thank you. So living at my house these days has me imagining I’m residing as a guest, yet still required to mow the lawn and make the bed.
During my present circumstances of what I shared is defined as a major life transition; despite the inconveniences I’m embracing this change and look forward to what the future brings. Today, technology minimizes the past challenges where moving, as in my situation 500 miles away seem tame.
The thought of change for so many represents negative and fearful connotations. It reminds me of seeing adults sharing the shallow side of a public pool next to a parent with toddler – Huh? I notice how some individuals live with such fear of water wading from knee deep to the waist deep edge of the pool is considered life-threatening. Could this be the underlining reasons showers are so much popular than taking a bath.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Comfort Zones
In comparison to others, some may really appear rigid; especially as we live in times where predictability is simply a fictional state. Dysfunction rules the lands and that challenges our mental, physical, emotional and spiritual equilibrium(s). Like the aforementioned adult waders in the kiddies pool, we all head towards our comfort zones, those safe or happy places, unfortunately they aren’t eternal and one size doesn’t fit all – and those are the obstacles, individually we face every day. The levels really do intensify since we are not alone, especially when we may be responsible and accountable for others.
Life if an Adventure so Stuff Just Happens
Whether you are good, bad, young, old, male, female, eat all your vegetables, go to church and take every precaution possible, we don’t live in a plastic bubble, so for all practicable purpose we need to find balance to flow with the current. If driving, having an AAA card is resourceful, yet it won’t resolve every situation the road might present. When asking individuals how they might deal with the unexpected, I’m amazed that so many respond that they just don’t think about, or deal with it then.
Ahhh… the Good Old Days
Yet, I find people longing to return to life on Elm Street in our Home Town. I mean cherish memories and use the unpleasant memories past as guidance, but does anyone really wish to relive one’s life? Dumb question, I just envisioned a wave of hands going up – Sorry, not going to happen.
More Indy…
Despite being an accomplished archeologist and having the distinct title of doctor, Doctor Henry Jones or Indy always seem to be unconsciously driven attempting to live up to his father’s legacy. Sound familiar? Aren’t so many of us impacted by others influencing our life decisions?
I could go on and on, comparing life challenges with Indiana Jones, yet I close with a personal connection involving nicknames with Indy and me. Indiana Jones real name is Henry Walton Jones Jr. and the famous name Indiana was actually the family dog’s name. Despite being known by the name Skip for almost 50 years, no evidence of that name can be found on my birth certificate (Alfred Anthony Solorzano). That’s where the comparison ends, as Skip was not the family dog’s name.
Back to packing boxes…
