Me And The Papaya Tree

If it be now, ’tis not to come. If it be not to come, it will be now. If it be not now, yet it will come – the readiness is all.
– Some Danish dude

I had a big decision to make:
Should I stay in the UK until 2021?
Or come home in 2020 after two decades abroad?

I decided to go somewhere in February.
To think about the future, long and hard.

I picked the perfect place. On the Indonesian island of Bali.

It had no internet.
Permitted no electronic devices of any kind.
And allowed absolutely no talking.

The Bali Silent Retreat.

Five days of peace and quiet.
Punctuated only by a gong.
To announce when it was time for food.
Or yoga. Or meditation.

I had a lot of time for reflection.
In my simple room overlooking the jungle.

Most of the time? It was just me and the papaya tree.

My room faced east so I could watch the sun rise.

And follow the stars at night.

I didn’t talk for five whole days.
I didn’t even read.

Because I wanted to prepare for what this year would bring.

Even though I couldn’t see it yet.

No one ever really sees the future coming.

There is one thing you know is coming for sure.

But nobody ever wants to think about that. 
Even though the readiness is all.

The best way to get ready? Live like you mean it.
Every day. Every hour. Every minute.

No distractions. No interruptions.
Because let’s face it: 
Can you really afford to waste time?

Of course, I may be quite insane
(As even some of my closest friends may attest).

But I just cannot shake the belief.
That the best is yet to come.

As long as we are ready.