After these women exit the train (total UWSiders-on at 96th, off at 42nd) the woman sitting next to me and I turn our NY all the way up-concluding they were loud, obnoxious and that "no one cares about their boring, regular lives."
Not so fast. I was a little intrigued-both were lawyers, one of them married w/ children, one's a marathon runner, and anyone who takes a subway 2 stops to work. One was petite, the other, one of those "I need to lose 10 lbs" girls who brings baked goods to the office (Crumbs was her vice). Anyway, from this small snippet, sounds like they won at life.
"Win at life (WAL)" is a concept coined by @thegreatestj, in reference to a friend who was completely wretched but married some guy who gave her a gorgeous ring, thus "winning at life." The phrase has evolved into a snarkier connotation of people who are, my social construct, lame, but they seem to think they've won at life by some aspect of life, from marrying a doctor, being offered a bid to every house on sorority row, or giving birth to thee cutest baby evar. Stuff that happens but doesn't deserve anything more but a nod and an "oh, how nice."
Even in their mundane lives, they had this WAL aura and wondered if they felt they'd won at life? How will I know when I've won at life? What are my life's must haves? Timelines are fine but I really rather not be one of those "I need to buy a house by 30, married by 32, kids by 35 because ill have gotten my masters by 28" girls. Its one thing to plan you day at work or your weekend, but your whole life?
How does one know when they've WAL? Is winning even essential? We know what it feels/looks like to lose at life, and no one wants to be a loser. What are your benchmarks for winning at life, and does it have a deadline?
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
2 comments:
I think folks like that need a change of their world view.
While I am happily married with 4 children. both of us are educated, smart, talented, have a mortgage, etc... but that's not what i was put on earth.
I still have a ways to go.
I still have students to teach. I have people to meet. More experiences to have and share.
I don't think i can sit down and measure those things. we can always get another house, car, career, etc.
Winning at life is more than material or working out. its about loving, experiencing, sharing, learning, hurting, falling, getting up, and doing more.
WAL, I love it. I lost at it for a few years, and now that Im happier than ever, I can say---you win when YOU think you win.
Sounds cliche, but, as I sit in my home, single and no one calling me mommy- I notice that I don't mind it. My passport and belly are full, my family and friends love me and there are MANY women/girls who would trade to have my life. I won, dammit, I win everytime I breathe.
Post a Comment