Watch Matthew McConaughey’s Very McConaughey Oscar Acceptance Speech.

Some people found Matthew McConaughey’s acceptance speech at this year’s Academy Awards to be a little bit confusing. Even with all of his rambling, he made a few really good points.   I personally gleaned a lot from what he said about the person he chases:  himself 10 years from now. I really liked the idea of this.

I guess by virtue of the fact that I am a journaler and a blogger, I naturally tend to reflect on the past as well as look forward to the future.  I like to look back on where I’ve been, where I’m at; and where I’m going.  So the idea that Matthew McConaughey chases the 10-years-from-now himself gets me thinking about myself.

10 years ago Rob:  In 2004, I was married, living here in Michigan and teaching full-time.  Even then, I had a feeling that I wasn’t going to be teaching in Michigan forever.  The school I was working in wasn’t great.  It was constantly facing the threat of being shut down (it closed 2 years after I left).  I felt like I was “on my way”.

A quick recap of the last 10 years:  I moved to South Carolina to teach there.  Had a kid.  Returned to the classroom as a substitute teacher just in time to get a divorce.  Moved back to Michigan.  Returned to school. Fell in love all over again. Now, I’m again looking at the prospect of unfurling my proverbial sails to see where the wind takes us.

At this point, I cannot imagine where I’ll be in 2024, but I’m certain that The Auteur and I will be there together.  The Kid will be getting ready to graduate from high school.  1B will be getting ready to graduate from college.  I fully hope and intend that The Auteur and I will be happily married by then; God willing with a couple kids of our own.

There’s simply no way 2004 Rob knew who he was chasing. And I guess there’s no way that 2014 Rob can know who’s he’s chasing either.  Maybe that’s what Mr. McConaughey was talking about:  life being about the journey, and not the destination and all of those other cliches to the same effect.

There is one thing about the future of which I am absolutely certain:  it is full of infinite possibilities.  Look at Matthew McConaughey.  No one, and I mean NO ONE could have foreseen him winning an Oscar twenty years ago.  Infinite possibilities indeed.

Oh yeah, and I will be turning 50 in 2024.  FIFTY. My reaction to that can best be summed up in the video below…

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