It’s all about perspective

Five years ago, it was a different world. Not just for me, but for everyone. There was no pandemic. There were no restrictions on travel. There was no war. The economy was booming. Bitcoin was at its highest hype. People were doing ICOs, making money out of thin air. And yet, some of us — me, for example—still found things to worry about. Things like, “How do I make twice as much money so that I travel 10 times per year and not just five?”

Two years ago, the world changed forever. Nobody would believe it was happening. “Coronavirus? Phew. It’s just another virus in Africa, like Ebola. It’ll pass.” During the next several weeks, the whole world economy closed down. Humanity hasn’t seen anything like it since the Great Depression. Suddenly, everyone forgot about their troubles. All eyes were on this virus. Two years since the pandemic started, we still can’t get over it. (And we probably won’t for a couple more.) I was on a lockdown in London, watching the entire planet go nuts from my Thames-facing window in North Greenwich.

Then, less than a week ago, an aging lunatic attacked a neighboring country, terrifying the entire planet. Suddenly, everyone forgot about coronavirus. All eyes are on Ukraine.

Me? I went on a sabbatical two months ago after burning out at a job. Back then, I decided I’d take the time to “find myself” and “explore my options.”

I could never have predicted how much the world would change during my sabbatical.