Thursday, November 15, 2007

The Time Has Come Today

When I was driving into the parking garage yesterday I was jamming to an old classic rock song from the sixties called "The Time Has Come Today" by the Chamber's Brothers. I had a few flashbacks to a rock festival I attend in 1970 where I saw the Chamber's Brothers and many others perform. The song's title made me think about time. We are so careless about time. We waste it and squander it. We think we have all the time in the world. I have sometimes been guilty of this since I do have a tendency to procrastinate. I am trying to get over this. When I speak of procrastination, I am not just talking about putting off unpleasant tasks. I am talking about putting off living. I don't think we should live this life in a panic but I do believe we should live life with some sense of urgency. As clique as it sounds, everyday is truly a gift. The present moment is the time that has come today. We should soak up life like a sponge absorbs water. Living well doesn't demand great adventure or exotic travels. Most of my journeys have been within myself. It's a world I have only partially explored. How does one live well while going through a normal, perhaps, unglamorous day? I think it starts with just having a grateful attitude and allowing yourself to become more aware of life's simple joys. Enjoy whatever you are doing or whoever you are with. Let go and laugh more. Don't be so serious all the time. Don't take anything for granted. Seize the day! Spend more time doing what you love. Don't feel like you have to constantly justify yourself to others. It's your life. Follow your heart and your muse. Quit living your life according to other people's agenda's. Be responsible and accountable for the obligations you have in life but do not carry them around as though they are a crushing burden. If you feel this way it might be time to reevaluate your obligations. Travel lightly through life as though you are a backpacker on the Appalachian Trail. Carry only what is essential. Simplify your life. Have a sense of wonder. Don't loose your ability to notice and be awed by the sacred that is sometimes hidden in life. Think on a deeper level. Allow life's little hurts and slights to roll off your back and be a forgiving person. Life is too short to be upset all the time.

My wife recently went to a family wedding shower. At one point everyone had to go around the room and give the bride to be advice on marriage. My wife and I have been married for 33+ years. My wife's advice to the young bride to be was "Each of you needs to find your own space and stay there as much as possible"! It's actually very good advice and I agree with it. There is such a thing as too much togetherness. In my marriage there's my space, her space, and our space.

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