Daily Mood Quote
Day 63 – July 6, 2011
“One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon-instead of enjoying the roses blooming outside our windows today.”
~Dale Carnegie
I know people who believe that working 16 hour days, spending their lives in the car (driving from here to there) and packing their days full of busyness is living. They start their day with their feet hitting the ground hard and they begin running. Before they know it, they are in their 80's, wondering where the time went and what they did with their life. The kids are grown and they don't know them. Maybe they see them on holidays or birthdays, because the example that was set “ constant running: busyness” has now been foisted onto the next generation. Is this high price of keeping up with the Jones' and maintaining the image, worth it? There is a very foolish saying that I hear all too often. “There will be time to rest when you're dead.” How very sad. I'm sure it was made up by someone who was trying to get something for themselves, at the expense of others. Unfortunately, this myth has crept into our lives and pushed out the breathtaking moments, like a weed in the garden.
A century ago, working long days at physical jobs was the norm. But, that was when fathers worked at the mills and factories and the moms stayed home to raise the family. It wasn't really a choice, it was a necessity at the dawn of the industrial age. Now, it is a choice. We see it in cities, towns and suburbs. Another generation of people is so focused on the busyness of life, that they no longer live life. In the song, Cat's in the Cradle by Harry Chapin, the dad calls the son and says “I'd like to see you if you don't mind” The son's reply, “I'd love to, Dad, if I can find the time...” Too many are fooled into thinking the busier your life is, the more “stuff” you cram in, the better your life is. That couldn't be further from the truth. How many of us will have memories, 10, 20, 50 years from now of sitting in traffic trying to “get somewhere,” instead of enjoying the journey with those we love? We have become so enthralled with “going” somewhere and “doing” something, that we fail to pay attention to the “now.” So, what are you missing?
In the movie Hitch, Alex Hitchens (played by Will Smith) says, “Life is not the amounts of breaths you take, it's the moments that take your breath away.” How many of those breath taking moments are missed because we are so focused on going somewhere, doing something or being somebody? Peter Drucker, the management/leadership guru said, “One cannot buy, rent or hire more time. The supply of time is totally inelastic... Yet most people take for granted this unique, irreplaceable and necessary resource.” It's great to have plans for tomorrow, but in the today you will find the moments that can take you breath away. Time will not tarry. But, we do need to stop and appreciate moments in time.
What moment will “take your breath away” today.
Tune in tomorrow to read the daily mood quote
Thank you for reading
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