We are all guilty of living our lives in anticipation. We can’t wait to graduate from high school and/or college. We can’t wait to go out on the next date with that cute guy/girl. We can’t wait to grow up. We lie awake each night wondering when our significant other is going to propose. We can’t wait for our kids to leave the nest. We can’t wait to go on vacation. We can’t wait to get a better job. The list goes on and on.
Why do we torture ourselves like this? Why is it so important to start the countdown to graduation 18 months before it happens? Why can’t we just enjoy our daily lives?
Ah, if it were only that simple. See, we’ve gotten to the point where we’re always looking ahead. We’re looking so far ahead that sometimes we can’t even see what’s right in front of us. People risk their lives by jumping on a train before the doors close. People drive right into an accident knowing it could’ve been avoided.
For most people, daily life is stressful and/or miserable. We work so hard to get a “good” job that we can’t enjoy it. The stress and pressure drive us nuts to the point where we have to force ourselves to get out of bed just to go to work. Do you know anyone who loves getting up in the morning?
So what do we need to do? Slow down! You can bust your buns trying to do as much work as you can in one day, but guess what, more work will come in and regardless of how much time you take off, the work will be waiting for you when you return. You can stress out all you want about the next 18 years of your child’s life and while you should try to be the best parent you can be, the child is going to have to find his/her own way in life. Don’t worry about missing the train, there will be another one coming in a matter of minutes. Don’t wish your life away in anticipation. Things will happen when they’re supposed to happen. There’s a time and place for everything.
Life is not a dress rehearsal. We only get one shot at this. Enjoy each day for what it’s worth. Even if you’re having a bad day, you could find one small moment to enjoy. Sometimes all it takes is for one person to smile at you to make your day bright. Toss your tunnel vision aside when you’re walking and notice what’s around you. The more stressed you get, the more you’ll find that it’s the little moments that count.