ANNA GEARY
YOU CAN ONLY TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR LIFE BY ACTING DECISIVELY IN THE PRESENT MOMENT, WRITES ANNA GEARY
THE end is nigh’ is a chilling phrase. For me, the term ‘end’ is a strange word. The ‘ beginning’ or ‘start’ of anything brings with it a welcomed excitement and exuberance, while the ‘end’ of something can often denote negative connotations, like the end of the Euros for Ireland or end of the summers holidays (who likes that, especially teachers). The ‘end of winter’ does not sound as upbeat and positive as the ‘start of spring’, yet both effectively mean the same thing.
Another thing to point out is the ‘end’ is rarely thought about or fully prepared for, even if we know it’s coming, not to mind if we don’t even know it’s around the corner.
During my year as the Cork Rose I was afforded many opportunities to open my mind and look at life from different perspectives.
The 2014 Rose of Tralee, Maria Walsh, displayed a thought-provoking tattoo on her forearm which read, “Trouble is, you think you have time”. I have pondered that simple but powerful message for many months since.
So often we are guilty of putting things off waiting for a more suitable time, internally uttering the words ‘I’m just too busy right now, but I will’.
We try to convince ourselves that we will eventually take action. Whether it’s getting fit, buying a new car to replace the ‘excuse’ for one sitting out in the driveway, or booking that dream holiday, we all put things off.
But what if your car breaks down on your way to a ‘make-or-break’ career meeting? If you become pregnant and can’t go on that year -long backpacking adventure? Or if you develop a health problem because exercise always fell down to the bottom of your ‘ to-do’ list?
Only then would you look back and wish you had thought about the possible endings to your personal scenario. As they say, hindsight is a wonderful thing.
See, the perfect moment will never come, you need to take the moment and make it perfect for you, for your life, for your circumstances. The time to act is now. None of us knows what the next page of the story will read.
I write this article with the rugby player, Luke Fitzgerald, in mind. During the week he announced his immediate retirement from professional rugby.
He sustained a neck injury in the Guinness Pro12 Final against Connacht and has been advised to finish up on medical grounds.
He has had a stellar career for Ireland and has achieved almost every honour thinkable, including Six Nations and Grand Slam titles with Ireland, as well as lining out in the World Cup; 3 Heineken Cups and Pro12 titles with Leinster; and he played for the British and Irish Lions.
Over the course of his career he earned 154 caps for Leinster and 34 for Ireland- not bad for a 28 year old.
During that time he encountered so many injuries, yet repeatedly bounced back, hungry for more punishment.
When he injured his neck against Connacht I’m sure he did not realise the significance of what had happened, as he had suffered neck injuries on 2 previous occasions.
It must have felt like the rug was pulled from underneath him, when he was told that his sports career had come to an abrupt and premature end.
Most professional athletes (I am generalising), while keeping an eye to the future, never really focus on the end of their sports career.
They only allow themselves to concentrate on the ‘ here and now’ in case it inhibits their performance.
Let’s face it, thinking about the future can scare the hell out of anyone. But when you are faced with reality, when injury dictates the expiry date of your career, you have no choice but to look for alternatives. That can be hard to digest. I consider myself lucky that I got to decide my own fate when I retired from Intercounty Camogie last year.
It was a daunting decision and I deliberated and (at times) doubted my choice, but when I look at the likes of Luke, Paul O’ Connell and Felix Jones, at least I can be content that I alone made the decision, and it wasn’t made for me.
Make the decisions while they are still in your control.
Think ahead and be proactive. Trouble is, you think you have time. I wish Luke well on his future path.
THE PERFECT MOMENT WILL NEVER COME, YOU NEED TO TAKE THE MOMENT AND MAKE IT PERFECT FOR YOU, FOR YOUR LIFE. THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW.