Too many people put off something that brings them joy just because they haven't thought about it, don't have it on their schedule, didn't know it was coming or are too rigid to depart from their routine.
How many women out there will eat at home because their husband didn't suggest going out to dinner until after something had been thawed? Does the word "refrigeration" mean nothing to you?
How often have your kids dropped in to talk and sat in silence while you watched 'Jeopardy' on television?
I cannot count the times I called my sister and said , "How about going to lunch in a half hour?" She would gas up and stammer, "I can't. I have clothes on the line. My hair is dirty. I wish I had known yesterday, I had a late breakfast, It looks like rain" And my personal favorite: "It's Monday." She died a few years ago. We never did have lunch together.
Because Americans cram so much into their lives, we tend to schedule our headaches.. We live on a sparse diet of promises we make to ourselves when all the conditions are perfect!
We'll go back and visit the grandparents when we get Steve toilet-trained. We'll entertain when we replace the living-room carpet. We'll go on a second honeymoon when we get two more kids out of college.
Life has a way of accelerating as we get older. The days get shorter, and the list of promises to ourselves gets longer. One morning, we awaken, and all we have to show for our lives is a litany of "I'm going to," "I plan on," and "Someday, when things are settled down a bit."
When anyone calls my 'seize the moment' friend, she is open to adventure and available for trips. She keeps an open mind on new ideas. Her enthusiasm for life is contagious. You talk with her for five minutes, and you're ready to trade your bad feet for a pair of Rollerblades and skip an elevator for a bungee cord.
My lips have not touched ice cream in 10 years. I love ice cream. It's just that I might as well apply it directly to my stomach with a spatula and eliminate the digestive process. The other day, I stopped the car and bought a triple-decker. If my car had hit an iceberg on the way home, I would have died happy.
Now...go on and have a nice day. Do something you WANT to...not something on your SHOULD DO list. If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make, who would you call and what would you say? ;And why are you waiting?
Have you ever watched kids playing on a merry go round or listened to the rain lapping on the ground? Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight or gazed at the sun into the fading night? Do you run through each day on the fly? When you ask "How are you?" Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done, do you lie in your bed with the next hundred chores running through your head? Ever told your child, "We'll do it tomorrow." And in your haste, not see his sorrow? Ever lost touch? Let a good friendship die? Just call to say "Hi"?
When you worry and hurry through your day, it is like an unopened gift....Thrown away.... Life is not a race. Take it slower. Hear the music before the song is over.
"Life may not be the party we hoped for... but while we are here we might as well dance!"
ty Donna. ;o)
10 comments:
Wow, at first I thought you were writing this, then as I was getting to like the 3rd thing, I was like..ohh. I like it!! Love ya mom!! I will send you those pics in a minute.
'seize the moment' CARPE DIEM!!!!!!!!!
yeah all my life my mom said shussshhhhh I could only talk during commercials........... back then they were not a abundant as now days. It the Tv is on to this day you can not talk to her. the tv is on all the time. Its life or death to her.
Love this entry Lisa ... perfect!
hugs
d
Have always loved this one!
Have a great week.
Sug
This was such a wonderful entry! Thanx for sharing.
Hugs,
D
http://journals.aol.com/heavenlybama/journey-to-success
Great entry Lisa, and it could be the mission statement for your journal: Don't take Life for Granted.
I have sometimes turned people down. But after living a shell for so long..... I do not do that any more! LOL I love life and it is meant to be lived.
Kelli
http://journals.aol.com/kamdghwmw/noonmom
Another great entry on taking advantage of the day. I love the name of that journal Carpe Diem--Seize the day. I like that about Doc, he is always ready to enjoy the moment and to put off some unnecessary goal indefinitely. He helps me to enjoy life a lot more. He has just called me three times in the last two hours to say little nonsensical things to make me laugh. I am so happy that your kids seem to really value their time with you and make a constant effort to do the things that make you happy, photos, phone calls, outings, and visits. And I am learning to say "I love you" after every call knowing time is running away. Gerry
Wonderful reminder.
Like the part about dancing while we are here.
Great advice.
Love,
Donna
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