It's another week on the weekend engagement community to discuss a topic of one's choice. Among others I have chosen a weekend with my 90 years old self. No one knows the future but let's assume I'm fortunate to live that long and I have a chance of a weekend with who I'll be many years from now. What would I be concerned to know? or what would be the topic of discussion with me during the weekend?.
My 90 Years Old Self
An old man, looking frail with gray hair walked through the door and sat next to me. His outfit was exactly like mine, perfect for such occasions. He was the same height as me and had the same bright smile as me, even though the wrinkled face dimmed a portion of it.
"Can I buy you a drink for the weekend?" he asked, smiling at me. I felt a connection between us but waved it off "Yes please" I said as I watched the old man order sparkling cider. Blown away with his choice of drink which was also my favorite drink, I asked that he stay with me for the weekend and he gladly obliged.
We had many things in common. I couldn't hide my shock.
"I was like you when I was your age" he said when he noticed the surprise on my face, "but growing older had made me realize what's worthwhile and vanity in life and these had changed me in my old age" he added. I couldn't deny it, it was obvious that he had the same interest as me and probably lived my kind of life.
"I'm here to tell you what lies ahead of you and to teach you wisdom, " he said.
He held my hands and took me out to the top gallery, from where we stood we could see the entire city. "What do you see?" He asked me.
"A busy street, hawkers, pedestrians, buildings both small and big, young men and women" I said wondering why he asked.
"Everything you see has an end. We were created into time, what we do with it now determines what happens in the future. The building will no longer be remembered, the street will one day be desolate, friends will be concerned with themselves, the consequences of our decisions will arise and all we'll be left with is ourselves."
He took me around everything I loved at the moment telling me what will become of them in the future.
"Until when you're old will you understand what really matters in life. We may seek wealth, power, and possessions now but we will later realize that our soul all his while had only sought for meaning" he laughed, then went silent for a while nodding gently.
It was a Sunday evening, and it was raining heavily with thunderstorms. Everyone was scared except the old man who sat calmly. It dawned on me that I hadn't really asked who he was and it was getting to the end of the weekend.
"Why aren't you scared? and who are you?"
He laughed out loud. "As we grow older, we gradually have no fears because we become exposed to the things we fear in our daily life and I'm your 90 years old self".