You don’t build a bond without being present. —James Earl Jones
My dad’s 95th birthday celebration was a smashing success on every level. Family from all over. My mom by his side. Old friends. And some delicious food and drink to commemorate the momentous occasion. And, as an added bonus, my dad was able to realize his life-long dream on that day. As stated in his Resilient Worker Interview from his 90th birthday, my dad’s goal in life was to become a great-grandfather. On this glorious day, he was able to hold his great-granddaughter, Rachel, and complete the circle. That’s how you get it done, right there!
And just when I thought it couldn’t get better, two old high school friends showed up to pay respects to my dad (and one brought his nonagenarian mom as well…outstanding!). It brought me back to all those times in high school, hanging out at our friends’ houses, talking to their parents, and having a blast. Back then, it was easy to take moments like those for granted. We thought those days would last forever and nothing could change. Now on the other side, with my own children bringing their friends over, I realize that those moments are golden but fleeting. The sand keeps slipping through the hourglass.
Seeing my old buddies brought me back to their fathers, and the fathers of great friends who are no longer with us. Mr. Brinkman. Mr. Enright. Mr. McDonough. Mr. Reyes. Mr. Hohman. Mr. Ridgway. Mr. Geimer. And many others. All legends. All made a great impact along the way. All put up with a group of knucklehead teenagers trying to find their way in this world. We were lucky to have those great times together. But we also realize they were a moment in time. And while we have fond memories of the past, we also have the present. And meaningful relationships and moments to shine all around us. And that is something we all need to cherish in our everyday lives.
Tomorrow is Promised to No One
In our work lives, we sometimes think the good times will last forever. Our team will always stay together. Our sales will continue to skyrocket. Our gambles will always pay off. Our star will continue to rise. We make memories during these times but we have to realize they may not last forever. We cannot predict the future. But we can treasure the present. We can take the time to express our gratitude and appreciation. We can celebrate our victories as if we may not have another. We can tell our teammates how much they mean to us. We can soak in the NOW!
And the same is true in our personal lives. Each phase of our life holds a special place, but a phase, by its very definition, does not last forever. College only lasts four years (for some). Being young and single has an endpoint. The kids will not always be in diapers. The house will not always be a whirlwind of chaotic activity. Our loved ones will not always be with us. Each phase of life has its own triumphs and tragedies. But recognition and appreciation for the current phase will accentuate those good times. Tomorrow is promised to no one. All we have is the NOW!
We Need a Sense of Urgency
Resilience stems from healthy appreciation. If we have a baseline of success and gratitude for the good times, we develop a hunger to get back there when the tide turns against us. And we develop an urgency that replaces complacency. It is no longer okay to delay calling that important prospect. It is no longer okay to delay developing that business plan. It is no longer okay to delay writing the next great American novel. It is no longer okay to delay climbing back toward the top. It is no longer okay to delay telling our loved ones how much they mean to us.
We have to recognize the times we are currently in. The past is the past and the future is uncertain. We have to live in the present. We have to be where our feet are. We have to embrace every phase of life and realize that we are constantly changing and growing. The good times of TODAY are the great memories of tomorrow. We have been given an incredible gift. The gift of today.
All we have is the NOW!