Since the start of this blogging project I occasionally run
into a time when I can think of little that seems interesting. Not sure what
that is a sign of. Does that mean that life is boring? Or does it mean that my
mental state is not where it should be? I really don’t think it is either one.
I have lots going on. Both with a house project and also work wise. So I should
be able to write something. But it just is not happening. On occasion I will
ask friends or colleagues for topic suggestions. Sometimes that works, other
times not so well. One of my faithful followers sent me an email yesterday
telling me that my blog needed to be updated. In other words, post a new one.
Something fresh. I responded by asking him for a topic. He gave me an idea.
Something I have pondered over the last few weeks.
Do you find yourself hurrying through life? Do you find your
main goal to be making money? Worrying about whether there will be enough for
retirement? Do you take time for yourself? For your family? What do you enjoy
about life? How do we establish what is important in life? How do we set
priorities? Good questions.
From young on we are programed to give our all. We look
forward eagerly to starting school. We want to turn sixteen so we can drive. We
anticipate graduation. We jump into college. We are taught that to be
successful we need to work hard. We strive to climb the ladder. To reach the
top. We have a family. We have to work harder to provide. Retirement is within
sight. Will we have enough money? We work a little harder. Earn more. Our
parents and siblings are getting older. But we don’t have time for them. We
have things to do. Maybe someday. And then we die.
I am reminded of the song Cat’s In The Cradle. A song made
famous in 1974. It’s a beautiful song. I have always enjoyed it. Take the time
to listen to the lyrics. Tells a sad story. It’s the story of a father who is too
busy to take the time to play with his son. To take part in family activities. And
as the boy grows up he models his life after his father’s. “I’m gonna be like him, yeah, you know I’m gonna be like
him”. Then the son leaves home, the father grows old and wants the son to come
for a visit. However, now he is too busy. A sad story indeed.
Ever notice that when people have life changing events
happen in their lives their perspective on life changes. I deal with people who
have been involved in traumatic car accidents. People who have faced and
experienced financial ruin. I have friends who have lost loved ones. Friends
who have and keep struggling through health challenges. What used to be
important no longer is. And what has become more important never was.
STOP. Take a moment to think. Is what you are consumed with
today going to matter tomorrow, next week, next year or when you are old? Take
a moment to visualize your life when you get to be seventy or eighty years old.
What do you think will be your biggest regret? Not enough time with family? I
could have left that work and enjoyed more golf? We should have taken that
trip? Why did we not spend money on that? Now live the rest of your life
accordingly. I refer, again, to my wall hanging that says, “The tragedy of life
is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it”. Make life
changes before life changes. Make it a good one.
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