Look at who You can be Right NOW!
As you age, you come to different realizations about almost everything. Your brain is similar to the most advanced AI (Artificial Intelligence) supercomputer and is constantly processing the input of what you see, hear, do, observe, and experience every waking moment. Often, this can lead to over-thinking, or over-processing, the input information and missing the available lessons that are right in front of us.
Recently, my wife and I, along with one of our sons, had a chance to meet with my Uncle Fred, whom earlier this year transitioned into an assisted living apartment. It was four days after his 90th birthday and we had a beautiful day to make the hour and a half drive to spend some quality time with him. On the drive there, I found myself doing battle with my thought processes attempting to be in the proper frame of mind once we arrived. What I mean by that is I became reflective that my Uncle Fred, and his 10-year younger brother Uncle Mike, are all I have left of the twelve Aunts and Uncles my life has been blessed by. I love these two guys who have had a major positive influence on my life.
But on this trip to spend time celebrating Uncle Fred’s 90th birthday, I couldn’t prevent my mind from floating to this strange need I seemed to have of looking for signs while we were with him that his health was deteriorating quickly. It turned out to be useless worry as I peppered him with questions related to our family history. His answers came from a mind that has retained complete clarity and were filled with love, sincerity, humor (we laughed so hard), and his own memories that took us on a journey of emotions. Driving home, I couldn’t help but wonder why I had wasted time worrying about the end rather than just being present in the moment. I knew there was a great lesson available from this visit with my Uncle, I just wasn’t sure what it was. Until two days later.
Two days later I was sitting in church listening to a sermon that appeared to be delivered directly for my benefit. It talked about how throughout history, people have always wanted to know exactly when the end of time would occur. Why? So they could be prepared. I relate it to wanting to know the exact date, time, and place of our own death so we can make that final list of things we want to accomplish prior to dying, start checking off the tasks, and finish with our life being all neat and tidy.
When asked about the end of time, the bible mentions nations rising against other nations, wars, insurrections, floods, earthquakes, famines, fires spread over vast areas of land, pandemics and plagues, hurricanes, mass destruction, and more. I laughed when the Pastor asked us “doesn’t that sound like you’re watching a nightly news program on a Thursday night?”
This new life lesson that began with my uncle’s visit was beginning to take shape when I realized that all of the things that could define the end of time were not only happening now, but that they’ve always been occurring throughout the entirety of history. Was the vagueness utilized to describe the end of time in the bible intentional? Was the lesson here suggesting that I should not be looking for signs of the end, but looking at who I can be right now…in every moment and situation of life?
In the end, the visit with my uncle was simply spectacular. So much so, that along with the sermon I heard two days later, I’m inspired to embrace this valuable life lesson whenever I’m engaged with others. The lesson of looking at who I can be right now, in the present moment, and focusing on how I may be able to have a positive impact within that moment is already producing enhanced and amplified outcomes. Whether visiting with my two uncles, being together with other family members, or spending time with any of the people I sincerely love including friends and acquaintances, I’ll do my best to be present in the moment and be all that I can possibly be. That’s a solid new strategy for my Tool Kit for Life.
Now…what about YOU? If you had to divide your day into the percentage of time spent worrying about the end vs. embracing the present moment, what would the numbers reveal? If you had to be honest about what percentage of your thoughts are spent on things you have no control over vs. things you can control, what percent would assign to each?
If you could calculate the real value of all the things in the world you can’t control that cause frustration, anger, worry, doubt, sadness, and disappointment and place that value side-by-side to the value of the opportunities created by the things you CAN control that result in joy, fulfillment, love, and happiness, which side creates the most value in your life? Are you pleased with that picture? If so, congratulations. Keep on keeping on! If not, my hope is that you’d consider following the life lesson path that I’ve recently come to embrace that can improve, enhance, and amplify your relationships and your life. You’re worth at least trying. While the end will eventually come for all of us, the present is ours to embrace in every given moment. Always look at who you can be right now. Hey…I Believe In YOU! GiddyUp!