True happiness is to enjoy the present without anxious dependence upon the future. –Seneca
I had the great fortune to play in a charity golf tournament benefiting the Child Rescue Coalition down in Boca Raton, Florida a few weeks ago. It is an incredible organization dedicated to helping save children from abuse around the globe. And we had a laid-back foursome who balanced the importance of the mission with an emphasis on having a good time.
About halfway through the round, the classic country song “East Bound and Down” by Jerry Reed came through loud and clear on my portable speaker. As the unofficial theme song to the “Smokey and the Bandit” movies, it contains this classic line:
“We’ve got a LONG way to go, and a SHORT time to get there!”
As I inched the volume slightly upward, my golf partner made a brilliant observation.
“Ya know, we have the opposite going on right now.”
Whaddya mean?
“We’ve actually got a SHORT way to go, and LONG time to get there.”
I hadn’t taken the time to fully appreciate it. It was a beautiful day on a beautiful course supporting a beautiful cause. And, as bonus, it was a Saturday, free from the usual interruptions of e-mails and phone calls. All we had was that present moment of fellowship and golf with no stress about future deadlines or commitments. How often does that happen?
It was a great reminder to appreciate the present moment and soak in the good times. And couldn’t we all benefit from that same perspective in our own lives?
It’s Okay to Slow Down
Our work lives can spin out of control with the constant demands of a global economy enabled by technology that always keeps us tethered. And we are creating more value with fewer people to satisfy the needs of our clients, internal stakeholders, and executive management. But this only adds to the stress and the demands for our time and attention. And there is no rest for the weary in our personal lives. We have to keep up with the constant juggling act of children’s activities, social functions, and community commitments. The 9-to-5, six-pack-on-the-couch life is a thing of the past.
And that is okay. All of this hustle propels us forward. We all of have goals and dreams and it takes hard work and focus to get us there. We all want the best for our children and need to make the necessary sacrifices to make their dreams come true. But we can run into trouble when every aspect of our life is a grind.
Every now and then, we need to step back and gain valuable perspective. We need to give ourselves permission to slow down and savor a relaxing moment. We need to be comfortable having LESS on our plate.
Cherish the Present Moment
Resilience is a reservoir, and replenishment does not happen on demand. We need to be intentional about re-charging and re-filling our reserves. And the best way to do that is to recognize and appreciate the times when everything is right with the universe. It is okay to relax. It is okay to slow down. It is okay to revel in the simple enjoyment of the present moment.
We must fight the urge to fast-forward our lives. We must fight the urge fill our down time with meaningless tasks and e-mails. The demands will find us. There is no shortage of stress and complication in this world. But we have to be prepared when we find ourselves pulled in so many different directions. How will we stay positive? How will we stay motivated? It is in these slower, peaceful moments that we can draw our strength. We need to tap into them and cherish them. These moments fuel our resilience. And we need to store them up like a camel.
Maybe it is taking a walk and reflecting on the day. Maybe it is relaxing with a few close friends. Maybe it is watching a sunset and soaking in every last ray. Maybe it is savoring every swing on a beautiful day on the golf course.
Most of our lives are spent scrambling to meet deadlines and expectations. Most of the time, we have a long way to go and a short time to get there. But not always.
Let’s cherish the times when we have a short way to go, and a LONG time to get there.