My family will tell you that there have been a few items in my pantry and kitchen cabinets, over the years, that had shelf-lives waaaay past expired. For a time, it was the source of many a laugh at my expense - good-natured, of course, and family members would exaggeratedly look for the printed expiration dates on cans, bottles, boxes, etc. This shelf-life joke did not extend to refrigerated items, fortunately, and we seldom had to deal with anything to do with the growth of penicillin in the refrigerator.
HOWEVER, much truth is said in jest and, consequently, being highly aware of expiration dates, I was on one of my 'hunts' this morning and found two expired bottles of Djon mustard, which I promptly emptied, rinsed, and disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner. Even though the contents and bottles had been removed, I was left with thoughts on expiration dates............which brought me to the topic of today's posting - naturally: Expiration dates and shelf-lives of inanimate objects, thoughts, organizations, relationships, procedures, principles, concepts, routines, etc.
It seems that most everything has a shelf-life. Appliances and vehicles have planned obsolescence, as do cleaning supplies, prescription medicines and over-the-counter health products. Even the insurance companies have employees called actuaries that track the 'shelf- life' of humans......so why is it not logical to have shelf-lives on organizations, relationships, etc.?
Perhaps it is the spectre of expiration that keeps ideas fresh, routines or procedures infused with new concepts and organizations with rotating members who bring new ways of looking at problems and dilemmas. I know that I have experienced the realization of my own shelf-life in relationships, groups, organizations and, at times, relationships, groups and organizations have recognized the end of my shelf-life with them before I did. The latter, by the way, is very painful. Eye-opening but painful.
If you, the reader, are sensing your 'out date' is approaching with someone or some organization, you should act on it. Life is too short to be spent in activities that do not excite or energize and life is too short to be spent in relationships with people and groups that do not inspire, uplift, and encourage.
In conclusion, though, I'd like to add that there are some people, relationships (like with pets), organizations/groups, and procedures/habits that have shelf-lives with NO expiration dates. It is upon these positive interactions that we all should focus.
I send hugs, good wishes, loyalty, love and thankfulness to all of the positive people, places and things in my life.
Ancora imparo
