In our fast paced culture, we are constantly looking ahead to the next big thing. We think about some magical someday when things will be better than they are now. Then when we get there we’re still looking ahead to something else.
I’m all for setting goals for the future and reflecting on the past. The danger in all of this is that we might just miss out on the present.
Recently I’ve been trying to live in the moment and be present in the present. I want to enjoy the people and opportunities that I have in front of me right now. I want to actually stop what I’m doing in my busy day and turn around and listen to someone who wants to talk to me. I want to spend less time looking for the next big thing and spend more time taking advantage of what’s in front of me.
You can’t take anything for granted in life because things change too fast. Never again will things be the same as they are right now. A year from now you might be working with different people, friends might move away, and your kids will be a year older. Sometimes it seems like things will always be the same, but nothing lasts forever.
So I find time to enjoy today. I’ve started to go to lunch with people more often because I want to enjoy them as much as I can. I had a great time in college, and I would give a lot to be able to have one day with those people all in the same place again doing the same things, but those days are gone. I hope that I’m saying that same thing about 2012 in a few years, and I don’t want to regret not taking advantage of it while I still had the opportunity.
While it’s wise to study the past and plan for the future, don’t forget to enjoy what you have now. Because you’ll never have another today.