Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night!

When I am old, unable to care for myself, and ready to rage against the dying of the light; how will I remember my vitality? Will I have regrets as I ponder missed opportunities and what-ifs? Will I have left behind a legacy worth living for? Or, will there be a statue of me, like the notorious King of Kings, Ozymandias? Ok, a statue may be pushing it! The point I am trying to paint is that venturing into the unknown is scary; however, never attempting such a stroll is scarier! Life is to be lived, not controlled!  
 
That’s why we must open the door for opportunity when it comes a-knocking. Unfortunately, opportunity is like a shooting star. Blink and it's gone – forever into the dark void of space! That’s right, some people will never have that chance meeting. So, when you see that familiar flash, I challenge you to embrace it – like an old best friend. Should you feel the urge, you may even tell it how happy you are to see it. My only advice is to do this privately. That way, no one sees you talking to yourself.
 
This year I have welcomed flash-after-flash. From giving my first PD on gamification/GBL, to launching an educational game, to starting this blog; I have pushed myself to complete and utter chaos. In life, there are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy, and the tired. Prior to engaging in this relentless cataclysmic path of beauty, I was the busy – never stopping for what I wanted or needed. No matter how hard I tried, something deep down prevented me from telling others no. I struggled with remembering that I did not need to ignite myself to keep others warm! However, recently, I have awoken from my long slumber with a vast appetite. I am hungry. My soul must be fed! I no longer want to shun my dreams; I want to acknowledge them in their entirety – big or small – rational or not. Universe, do you hear me? I HAVE DREAMS! Who doesn’t? Living life without such is not a life worth living for.
 
I remember giving my first PD to a nervous group of soon-to-be educators a few months back. They were eager to make their mark on Earth. I was eager to make a mark on their teaching trajectory. Initially, I was hesitant to commit to such an engagement. I had never given a PD. What did I have to offer? Trust me, when I first heard the knocking, I tried to hide in the shadows. By chance though, my elusive creative genius persuaded me to open the door to the loud knocking. Was I nervous? Yes! Did I survive? Barely! By some miracle, Earth’s magnetic poles didn’t reverse midway through my presentation. As a matter of fact, it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. We laughed, learned, and genuinely enjoyed each other’s company. Moreover, speaking to the wonderful group gave me the confidence to sway, move my hips, and dance with change.
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The choice you make today will dictate the path you take tomorrow. Next time you hear that knock, open the door! Whether you are contemplating writing that book or giving that presentation, do not go gentle into that good night. You don’t have to be perfect; you just have to try. Give it a shot. Be the pursuing. Rage!