I received an email from a woman last week that I dated in the mid 1980’s.  She had found something in her basement, which I had given her in 1985 and the long and short of it I ended up in her Google search engine.  I wrote her back and we had a nice exchange on where we are now and how we got there.

I think I’ve watched “When Harry Met Sally” too many times, so in my note back to her I mentioned something about me turning 50.  She wrote me back something about her being 44, gravity and childbirth and how she found it hard to believe I was going to be 50.  Needless to say, she now has a wonderful family and a very successful career and she sounds to me very happy.  It was nice to receive that unexpected note on an ordinary weekday.

I’ve thought about it a lot this week, mainly because of what we corresponded about.  Simply put the realization that I’m going to be 50 and she is 44 says a lot about the one constant in our lives.  Of course that constant is “change” a part of life space, which we can never escape.

I imagine I’ve been googled a few times, by a host of people.  However way back in 1985 “being googled” probably, meant something else, and maybe it wasn’t so good.  I dunno.  However, one thing I do know is walking the streets in 2008 is a world different than 1985.  In many ways it seems like yesterday and in others it seemed like the world has changed a 1000 times.

When I was younger I used to resist change.  In fact, I was afraid of it.  I’d take solace in what I knew, not wanting to venture out into anything which was unknown.  For some of you who know me through my professional life, that might surprise you because of all the different things I do.  Over time and its taken almost forever, I’ve found that true joy in life is embracing change and rolling with it.

Of course some of it is not pleasant.  Let me give you an example.  At times over my lifetime I’ve found myself traveling in foreign countries to be a bit challenging.  Embracing change when you can’t speak the language or even read the alphabet can be daunting.  However, I’ve done it and at the end of the day, I was better for it.

In the world of economics change is constant.  Simply put standing still is not an option.  For instance where would we be if we communicated and transported things the same as we did in 1985?  The constant is with the increased use of technology and the continuing drive for efficiency, there is always a need to do things better and better.  Where do you think Ford Chrysler and GM were in 1985?  Needless to say I drove something called a Chrysler LeBaron in 1985 and now I drive a Honda.

When you look at the genre of agricultural economics, 1985 seems like the Stone Age.  It might not mean a thing to the people reading this piece, but back in the day, we used to work the land three times, burn up all kinds of fossil fuels and then plant the crop in a cloud of dust.  In 2008 we no till crops, save 70% of our fuel costs compared to back in the day and use satellites from space to guide us through the field at night.

As I write this, our American friends are set to elect the first African American President in the history of the United States.  Back in 1985 I was sitting in the top of Detroit’s Renaissance centre talking politics with a black man from Detroit.  He told me unequivocally, there would never be a black American President.  How things change.

In 1985 our gay and lesbian citizens lived in fear in many a Canadian community.  The idea of “gay rights” was novel, and the scourge of HIV and AIDS was only beginning its terrible march through society.  Now in Canada gay people can get married.  It’s the law of the land and many of our gay fellow citizens no longer live in fear and have rightly taken up their place in Canadian society.  In 1985 that would have been unheard of.

I wouldn’t say all of these personal epiphanies about change were spurred by my friend’s email.  I’ve always felt I’ve had a pretty good grasp of where I am and where I want to be.  Nonetheless sometimes things come along to make you reflect.  Maybe you should try it yourself.  Google someone this week.  It might help you reflect on where you’re going.