Day #3: The lighthouse
Day #3: The lighthouseI was hired for the job because of my experience; I grew up around a lighthouse. My grandfather lived in one, and I did as much as I could to gravitate around that guiding light. He was a very strong man, not necessarily in physical terms. Though I’m sure h…
Day #3: The lighthouse
I was hired for the job because of my experience; I grew up around a lighthouse. My grandfather lived in one, and I did as much as I could to gravitate around that guiding light. He was a very strong man, not necessarily in physical terms. Though I’m sure he was stronger than average. He built an empire, set his four kids up for success, and loved his wife until her premature death. Then he retired to a place close to what he loved the most: the sea. There, he spent his days reading all sorts of books and telling his grandkids stories about everything and anything. He always said goodbye with a touch of melancholy, perhaps counting down the times we had left to spend together, increasing the probability that it was the last time we saw each other.
Why was I hired for a lookout tower custodian job? Because I would have done it for free? Or because of my history that I certainly couldn’t share with just a CV and a couple of interviews? Isn’t it the same for any job? What changes, maybe, is what’s on the plate for both sides, until an agreement is reached. As in most commercial transactions, one side loses. But I didn’t care about losing; I was measuring my success using my own balance sheet, with my very own units of measure. Gibberish to anyone else but everything to me.
I was finally going to be able to meditate, work on my side projects, finish writing the book I started years ago, practice fasting seriously, get into calisthenics, read my pile of “must-read” books, and do some very much-needed digital detox. I knew it was all pointless. Nothing was going to cure me from the cancer I was diagnosed with five months ago. Opting for surgery would have meant a life ending in hospitals, surrounded by the sadness of my loved ones. Self-exile was more liberating for everyone. I’d rather be remembered for the man I was, knowing that I still had a purpose despite my grim destiny. At least I will have tried to honour the name of my hero and strived to live a life with fewer regrets.
Image credits: https://unsplash.com/@jerrykavan
Join My Journey: One Shot, One Story
Each day unfolds with a single random image from Unsplash, sparking the creation of a story.
Why?
This ritual is not merely about storytelling; it’s a pathway to a legacy I’m building for my children, something I wish I received from my parents instead of “stuff” — a book that delves into the intricacies of mistakes, healing, pain, success, and the shifting sands of societal values.
This narrative explores the devaluation of human virtues, the nuances of grift and speculation, addiction, the evolving roles within society, the impact of feminism, leadership, and the vital importance of responsibility and accountability.
Cool, but who for?
It’s a story meant to answer questions that distant relatives, whom I’ve never met or fallen out of touch with, might ponder about our shared lineage and the world that shaped us.
As a devoted father, this endeavour is my beacon, guiding the legacy I wish to leave behind. Writing, in a language that wasn’t my first, presents a unique challenge — one that I tackle with stoic determination. It’s an effort to break barriers, to communicate more profoundly, not just with my immediate family, but with anyone on a journey of self-discovery and growth.
But who are you anyway?
With a background in engineering, entrepreneurship, investments, and a heart that beats for art, beauty, and nature, I am deeply passionate about technology, history, psychology, and uncovering the layers of what makes things ‘weird.’ Above all, I’m a family man, a software artisan committed to lifelong learning, eager to share the insights gleaned from my quest to minimise regrets.
Follow my journey here and on X, let’s connect even if you simply want to tell me how much my content sucks. I’d love some honest feedback!