A Life Out of Order

What if, everyday, you woke up at a different age, on a different day of your life, never knowing where or when you’re going to be after you fall asleep?

This weekend, I had the pleasure of screening a number of films at the Phoenix Film Festival. One of my favorites was “Shuffle”, a tale of a man who begins experiencing his life out of order.

Part “Twilight Zone”-style mystery, part Frank Capra fantasy, “Shuffle” stars TJ Thyne, co-star of the hit TV show “Bones”.

What I liked most about “Shuffle” was its subtle invitation to “pay attention” to our daily experiences, and to become more aware of the pattern to those experiences over time.

Sometimes it can take years, even decades, to discover the thread that increasingly defines us and our meaning and contribution in the world.

Throughout my life, I can point to several key experiences that, when viewed together over a longer period of time, all seem to converge on a unique ability that I now actively give voice to on a daily basis.

While it can sometimes be hard to detect the patterns in our lives, taking time to connect the dots from day to day can result in true meaning and reinforce the value we bring to others.