Alive and Present
by Steve Goodier
Architect Frank Lloyd Wright once told of a childhood incident that
may have seemed insignificant at the time, but had a profound
influence on the rest of his life. It happened when he was nine years
old. It was winter. Young Frank was walking across a snow-covered
field with his uncle. As the two of them reached the far end of the
field, his uncle stopped him. He pointed out his own tracks in the
snow, straight and true as an arrow's flight, and then young Frank's
tracks meandering all over the field.
"Notice how your tracks wander aimlessly from the fence to the cattle
to the woods and back again," his uncle said. "And see how my tracks
aim directly to my goal. There is an important lesson in that."
Years later the world-famous architect liked to tell how this
experience had greatly contributed to his life's philosophy. "I
determined right then," he'd say with a twinkle in his eye, "not to
miss most things in life, as my uncle had."
He determined to be alive and present. To be fully aware and squeeze
as much life out of each moment as possible.
We will miss most things in life if we live in the past. Let us learn
from the past, but not live there.
We will miss most things in life if we live in the future. Let us plan
for the future, but not live there.
We will miss little if we live in the present. And we'll have more fun
along the way!
Steve Goodier
Publisher@LifeSupportSystem.com is a professional
speaker, consultant and author of numerous books. Visit his site for
more information, or to sign up for his FREE newsletter of Life, Love
and Laughter at http://LifeSupportSystem.com.