The thing about those good 'ol days

What I wouldn't give for those good 'ol days. Its only in present that we feel those regrets for the yesteryears. The "what ifs?", the "why didn't?" and all regrets would come up, like frames from a slide, one by one it would haunt you.

And like frames from a slide, the story unfolds. Like the time you were in college, like your first kiss, like the first time you felt when you held a lover's hand. Like the first time you scored straight "A's" then they never repeated again. Like the time, for a brief moment you had the whole world in your hands, and like the time you had the whole world in knots and bends. Memories, those yesteryears. Those times.

Lately, I find myself lamenting over those years that have gone by. Even when I meet up with former schoolmates, boarding mates and 'ol frends, the stories remain the same. Fact of the matter, it gets even worst when the same form of topic becomes the base of my conversation with colleagues and new acquaintances. Am I that sad?

Do I have not anything more interesting to talk about but lament over the past? What is so appealing about the past? What does the past have that the present does not?

You know what? I just realised I am not alone. Historians, as they are called, try to make sense of history and present the facts for things that happened. The documentation as a witness to the happenings are the philosophy of a Historian. Just record and document. Opinions are a footnote.

But I find that the glorification of yesterday, is due to the fact that you don't know what to do tomorrow. Yes. Agree or disagree, I leave it to you. However, is it really far fetched? Is it not logic? We speak of the past so eloquently, with awe with amazement because whats done is done. We may learn from the mistakes made and make preventive measures but what about now? And tomorrow?

Hmm, you are wondering right now, where and what am I leading this into? Simple. Everybody, as in the normal breed of people, who live life everyday are reactive. We need somebody to tell us what to do, tell us what to think, tell us how to react. We do not know how to go about things. We would if we had done it before and found out through the hard way the truth or the end result. But we still need the time to empirically conduct the motives, intent, action or decision first, then we would know the outcome.

Dontcha think its true? How many of us complain coz the boss don't train us well that's why we sucked at our jobs? How many blame parents, upbringing and the families dysfuntionality for why they are who they are now? I can go on and on about this but it all comes down to one and only one realisation...that we cease to function without guidance. And what better guidance but from one with wisdom we call The Leader

You know that person. He/She is that enigmatic and charismatic boss. He/She is that inspiring activist, the go-getter, the man/woman of action. Mother Theresa, Gandhi, Mendela, Bono, William Wallace, Robin Hood (if he existed), Martina Navratilova, Nicol David, and all the people that inspires us. The guiding light that ploughs the way to tell us what is possible from what we thought can never be. We cant live withought heroes.

But what have they, that we don't? Very simple, they don't think of the past. The future is all that matters. All that matters.

So, as I ponder upon my own words, I reflect upon my situation. Being a leader, you already are Amad. 24 men put their trust in you. Their lives and livelihood depend on you. And you are, The Area 1 Chief. The main upstream operation. The main factory component. Withought you, there is no factory. Everyday people look up on you for guidance and solution.

But what do you do? Your thoughts still lingers on those times when you were young, in love and had a band that people worshiped. Those times that made you popular, those times that made you feel like the MAN.

Those times are gone 'Mat! The future, lays in your hands. The opportunity is there, seize it! But you don't. You're still standing on the crossroads, asking yourself the question, that bugging question. You know that question. It has haunted you for the past 4 years. "Can I lead?"

The thing about the good 'ol days is, sometimes we wish that we are at the present when all that is now, are things of before, just like.......... the good 'ol days.