When you are in the arena, in the middle of the battle, in the thick of life, it seems as though time stands still. It feels like the day will never end, that tomorrow will never come. You fret. You worry. You waste precious time.
Yet, when you elevate and look at the big picture, you see just how small those past problems were in the bigger picture of life. Instead of living in the present and enjoying the moment, our human nature is to complain and wish for things to be different, whether it’s to be somewhere else, to be with someone else, or to just be someone else. Instead of embracing who we are, where we are, who we are with, and what we are doing, we ruin the moment by chasing that which isn’t real. We rob ourselves of making memories that will last a lifetime.
I can’t take credit for the title of this post, that goes to Gretchen Rubin. But no truer words have been written. I have seen them play out in my own life. I’ve seen them play out in Lisa’s, my children’s, my mother’s, and my friend’s lives. And if there is one thing I know for certain, I know they will continue to play out in all of our lives.
It wasn’t convenient when I helped Courtney move her stuff from San Francisco, but I’m glad I went with her. It was a trip we’ll both remember.
There have been afternoons this summer when I shouldn’t have taken the time to golf with Brad, but I would do everyone of those outings again.
Joining a bowling league wasn’t on mt bucket list, but I know that Lisa and I will enjoy spending time with our friends and meeting new people.
Dealing with the pandemic this past year has been awful, but it encouraged the family to get together more. And you know what, I won’t miss the pandemic, but I’ll miss those get togethers when the pandemic eventually runs its course and passes.
Sure, the day-to-day can be a grind. It can drain you. It can push you to your limit. But that’s life. It’s what it’s all about. It’s about being in the arena. It’s about living in the moment, embracing the present, and making those memories that will always be a part of you. Those memories that you can look back on fondly. Those memories that bind us together. That’s what life is about.
The days are long, but the years are short.