Today Matters Most

Most night’s before I go to sleep I think of my day.  I review it to hopefully find that I've accomplished something.  Do you review your day?  If so, were you satisfied with what you did with the time given to you? Did you make the most of the opportunities afforded to you? Importantly, did you say everything your heart desired?

Perhaps you have a bit of unfinished business you're putting it off? Why do we avoid some people and situations, hoping they'll go away and magically work themselves out? Living in truth could leave us vulnerable and exposed but we never have to worry about not living!   Are you willing to tie up loose ends? Here is a million (today it’s a billion) dollar question: Why do we put off for tomorrow what we have the power to change today?  You will absolutely overwhelm yourself trying to do it all when the payment is due.  Also ...

That tomorrow moment may never arrive.

Over the last couple of years I’ve facilitated several funerals.  The lives I was given the privilege to honor were friends, siblings of good friends and my own mother.  During the preparation time and my attempts to give comfort to grieving friends I realized that life is fragile and very short.  Can we agree that one day our friend or dearest love is here and too soon we’re left asking “What happened?”

The fact is no one is promised tomorrow. We know this, but because it’s not a popular focus, our habit is to put things off. More often than not we put off and allow wounded relationships to remain severed.

We may even allow years to go by before picking up the phone and attempt to reconcile with someone. The wounds may be great and the anger may still be present, but our hearts long for that relationship. Through the process of time we become either too afraid to reach out, fearing more pain through rejection, or we're just prideful. Neither will heal us. Ignoring your special someone will probably lead to more loneliness.  Some trials in life cannot be conquered alone.  We cannot ignore that our poor choice of words, coupled with a sucky attitude, is a recipe for hurting another.  Denying the responsibility of retracting that action with an apology will only create further distance and therefore greater loneliness.  No one wants to face tomorrow alone.  Right?

Let’s face it love is wonderful and beautiful, but it can also be painful. Our heart and invested emotions we give away to people could return to us beat up. Yes, love hurts but it hurts worse when we stop love.  We should learn from yesterday with an understanding that yesterday ended last night. Things happen that cannot be undone.  Tomorrow may come, maybe not, which of us really knows? 

Today matters

Is there someone who needs to hear from you? Do you need to ask forgiveness of someone, even if you didn't mean to? Do you need to set aside the weight of family pride for a moment and call a family member? Can you cast a stone at anyone?

The truth remains that life has many facets.  Don’t simply walk out this life or hold onto grudges.  Grudges coupled with pride wastes precious time.  Whether it lasts years or hours wasted time rewards you with regret.  You could be enjoying life instead of trying to figure out how to medicate any mistakes or poor decisions.  May I encourage you to pick up the phone and call someone? Do it!  Meanwhile, tonight, you'll be able to tell yourself I accomplished something today and it was worth my time.  Peace.

posted by Chuck Collins