I often think about alternate realities and the infinite amount of outcomes due to each choice we make on a day to day basis. I mean, this commercial sums it up well. Even the little things you do on a daily basis can make your life significantly different. Butterfly effect et al.
Rarely though, are you smacked in the face with it unexpectedly. Today, I was reading through my twitter feed, and clicked on a picture that an ex-coworker put up of their team out to lunch. I recognized some faces, wondered who some of the people were, and then BAM! Turned away from the camera was my spitting image from about 4 years ago. Same thick, long (butt-length) wavy brown hair I had back then, chipmunk cheekbones like I have – even from almost the back, I could tell she was smiling big. Not only was she about the same weight I used to be, but the same topheavy build I have. Wearing if not a t-shirt I used to own, something damn similar. Sitting how I used to (legs crossed at my ankles) in a restaurant I used to frequent. It was truly surreal.
The crazy thing is I applied for a job on that team 6 years ago. I didn’t get it. I was told I was 3rd best where they took the top 2 people. It wasn’t my dream job but it was definitely better than where I was and I was crushed and frustrated when I found out.
It hit me when I saw that picture… in some alternate reality I might have gotten that job. It might have made me complacent enough that I wasn’t as driven and hungry to get into game design and ultimately production. I might never have been in the right place at the right time to take over the game I did with so little experience it was ridiculous, and then become so burnt out that I had a life epiphany that fateful day in December 06.
I certainly wouldn’t have been so desperate for life change that I would have considered Austin as a viable move. I mean, it was TEXAS. From CALIFORNIA. Come on. Who moves out of the most perfect place to live ever (at least, as I thought at the time) to TEXAS? I wouldn’t have had the experience to land the job I did and move out to Austin. I wouldn’t have learned what it meant to have a balanced and full life that meant something beyond my job and position. Or maybe I would have, since I would have never gotten myself into the pickle of working 100-hour weeks, but let’s forget that for a moment…
I can’t say for sure, but I don’t think I would have aggressively pursued weight loss as I did once I moved to Austin. If I wouldn’t have done that, I surely wouldn’t have discovered my inner athlete and my passion for racing. I wouldn’t have had the time or desire to start a blog to have a soapbox again (since I’d already have one), and I wouldn’t have found all the lovely fit bloggers out there that motivate and inspire me on a daily basis. Ok, weekly now that I’m super busy, but you know what I mean…
So cheers to you, alternate reality Quix. I bet you’re having a blast still in SD (how I do miss it sometimes). I bet being on that team is a lot of fun. I bet you’re going to order something with those super yummy garlic fries they had at that restaurant (om nom nommm). However, if you decide that you’re not happy where you’re at, and that you have want for more in any facet of life, please realize you can make it happen. Beyond a shadow of a doubt. Trust me, I have some inside knowledge. ::wink::