Concentrate On Today's Date
by Steve Goodier
It's been said well, "If you have to look at the calendar,
concentrate on today's date." It doesn't hurt to look back occasionally and
learn lessons from the past. And we should also look ahead and prepare for the
future. But mostly...it is a good idea to give today the best we've got.
Actor Sylvester Stallone once said of his acting success, "It's
been a lovely ride - I just wish I'd been there to enjoy it." Have you ever felt
that way? That life has been good - even great - but you weren't really there to
enjoy it? He went on to say, "It's been like a blur - like trying to sightsee
through a quaint New England town at three hundred miles an hour. I'd like to
retrace my steps in the snow and see what I missed. I mean, I've been to Europe
ten times in the past ten years, but I can't remember anything. If I didn't have
some of the door keys that I took by accident, I wouldn't remember where I
stayed. My whole life is door keys."
Have you ever felt like your life is.car keys? Office keys?
Keyboard keys? A blur?
Older people used to tell us when we were young parents to
"enjoy these years." "They go by faster than you realize," these friends would
say. And most of the time I'd think, 'They can't go by soon enough!'
I've always loved my children, and I am forever grateful I am a
parent. But some days I couldn't wait for them to grow up.
I remember long nights - long nights when babies were up because
they couldn't sleep, or didn't feel well or just decided to use that extra time
to exercise their lungs. I remember long nights - long nights lying awake
waiting for teenagers to come home.listening for the car engine so I knew they
were all right. And if someone would tell me to enjoy those years, I'd shake my
head and think, 'I'll enjoy it when they grow up. I'll enjoy getting my life
back!'
But then the boys did grow up and they left home. And do you
know what? Our friends were right. Those years went by faster than I expected.
They seem like a blur now and I wonder if I enjoyed them fully.
Thomas Mann said, "Hold every moment sacred... Give each its
true and due fulfillment." For these moments, I'm learning, are all we really
have.
Next time I look at the calendar, I'll concentrate on today's
date.
Steve Goodier's books &
newsletter:
http://LifeSupportSystem.com.