I thought about making this a music Monday post, the modern bard, Jimmy Buffett has a song, Breath-in, breath-out, move on, https://youtu.be/7-jlZTcWTlc , Thursdays get more reads than Mondays, I think this is worthy of a Thursday. *
The time is always now, the past is past and we can't change it. Living in the mistakes of the past will only leave us miserable in the now. Reliving the joys of the past is fun, but gets in the way of the pleasures of the now. There is no promise of tomorrow, it is good to make plans, but don't put off the pleasures of today for a tomorrow that may not happen.
I read something recently moved me.
When people talk about time travel, they always raise the fear that going back in time and changing some small thing, might have a big impact on the future, the now of then. But we seldom think about how some small change we make today, might make a big difference in the future. If you want to obsess about the future, make little changes today that will result in big changes in the then.
I was talking with a friend recently, who has some health challenges, and is convinced that they need to work until they are 70. (Gender neutral pronouns to protect the person.) Why because their father retired in his 50's, lived to be 80 and died broke. I bet he had a lot of great times, retiring when he was still healthy enough to go and do, and experience the now. What difference does it make if we die rich, or die broke, we are dead just the same. I can be a stingy bastard,** but I can't take it with me and there is no guarantee that anyone will do anything worthwhile with what is left, after my Now, becomes my when.
So the clock with no hands is always right. The time is always now. And when things don't go well, just breath-in, breath-out, and move on the in now. Go live in the now today.
* I just noticed the clock is missing the hour 1.
** There is a a line in the musical South Pacific where one of the island girls is chasing one of the sailors around calling him a stingy bastard, my Ex tagged me with that line.
I do NOT want to be rich when I die. Let’s spread the wealth (or whatever there is) while we and others can enjoy it. Don’t be a stingy bastard, be our little honey bun.
ReplyDeleteI am less stingy than I used to be
DeleteI too have every intention to die broke and not broken.
ReplyDeleteI like that spin,
DeleteWhy would the 1 be missing from the clock, even if we know where it should be. So your ex is generous? Please send me his contact details.
ReplyDeleteMy ex is and always was broke
DeleteI couldn't agree more with Mitchell. I have a dear friend who was loaded beyond belief, and yet spent hardly any of it. No family or kids or partner. When he passed the money most likely went to the state, unless it went to a charity, I don't know. But what good was all the material stuff and oodles of money??? He didn't have time to enjoy it, and you can't take it with you.
ReplyDeletethe goal of your investment advisor / stock broker is for you to die with more money than you retire with -
DeleteThe adventure awaits, if you open the door.
DeleteYou're right -- the Eternal Now is all we have.
ReplyDeleteI fear asking, why am I doing this now?
DeleteYou are so right...live for today!
ReplyDeleteEat, drink and be merry
DeleteI'm all about today because tomorrow is not guaranteed.
ReplyDeleteThe hands might fall off the clock
Delete"Enjoy it while you're here." As long as we have enough funds to keep a roof (no matter how small) over our heads, food in our belly, and light and heat when we need it, I will be content. Plus, of course, healthcare. If I could quit/retire now and get a pension, I'd take the penalty and live off of a reduced income without hesitation, even if it meant giving up some luxury. And I want to give all my stuff away before I die. I never had designs on being wealthy. I just didn't want to struggle to make ends meet and always be behind.
ReplyDelete(P.S. I am finally caught up on your November posts. Yay!)
Sassybear
https://idleeyesandadormy.com/
Health insurance is the hurdle for me, waiting for Medicare to kick in. I'd be a little better off to work another year, or five, but what would I miss that I wouldn't be able to do.
DeleteI often counsel folks anxious about the future it is often heavily relying on what we do in the present.
ReplyDelete