Seize the Moments

I was absent again last week, a combination of no internet when I was at the computer and being lost in absolute abandon in the yard. There is so much to reclaim this year after some necessary but unsavory excavation to find a water leak. I may win that battle reclamation, remains to be seen. 

My thoughts have been pretty focused on love this past week. The many ways we love and how we express it. It is so varied! The particular focus was the love of a grown son and his wife. They are both amazing people. This son is the kindest and most generous person I know. While I am proud of and respect all three sons, I must admit he is the one that keeps reminding me of what love really is all about. I spent three (way too short) glorious days with them, playing, doing some sightseeing, sampling excellent food, and talking. That communication part is the best. This grown child is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. 

I also thought a lot (especially when they departed) of how very fragile life is and when you love someone with such fierce intensity as we love our children, you must not only feel it but share it. It starts with communication and from there; the joys are innumerable.

Life is short, and life is precious. Why is it we get caught up in daily minutiae, with things that we think are important but are not…and neglect the things that matter? I know I have been guilty of that. A serious health issue about six months ago drove that point home to me with exquisite clarity. Since then, I have been working hard on refocusing on what is important and what I need to let go of. What I need to let go of is most everything and what I need to focus on is a simple, precious few things. Still a work in progress, but working. The time with a beloved son also helped bring more clarity. 

Don't leave anything for later.

Later, the coffee gets cold.

Later, you lose interest.

Later, the day turns into night.

Later, people grow up.

Later, people grow old.

Later, life goes by.

Later, you regret not doing something...

When you had the chance. 

Life is a fleeting dance, a delicate balance of moments that unfold before us, never to return in quite the same way again.

Regret is a bitter pill to swallow, a weight that bears down upon the soul with the burden of missed chances and unspoken words.

So, let us not leave anything for later. Let us seize the moments as they come, with hearts open and arms outstretched to embrace the possibilities that lie before us. For in the end, it is not the things we did that we regret, but the things we left undone, the words left unspoken, the dreams left unfulfilled. 

by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

Art by Karla Kraft