THE WIND PHONE
Advice To Our Younger Selves
Whatever inspires us, we must do it now.
Time, over which we have little control, is a powerful motivator to live in the moment, in the now.
The clock ticks, ticks, ticks faster as the years pass. Why must there be less time to relish the beauty of our surroundings, appreciate our friends and families, and live out our dreams? Why do the days evaporate so speedily?
Why can't we stop the ever-ticking clock?
This topic is a persistent ache in my heart. Losing my husband of nearly forty-one years in 2021 taught me so much about living for the day. The pandemic struck at just the wrong hour for us, in our 40th anniversary year. We were forced to cancel a celebratory family vacation to Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, Carmel, Pebble Beach, and Big Sur, not once but twice. It was devastating that the second time was a cancer diagnosis, ending his life in mere weeks.
Time is still ticking, but my family will attempt to slow the clock again this spring, not to go to California, but to travel to Italy.
We will do it not with him but for him — and ourselves.
When we experience loss or hardship, we must focus on each day as it unfolds. These alarms, these warnings we receive throughout our lives, must be heeded and addressed before time runs out. Life is unpredictable and erratic, even in better moments.
Surrendering today for another day is not the answer. Obstacles to fulfillment and happiness manifest like walls to imprison us, begging our commitment to re-orient and discover renewed focus, particularly in grief.
Our futures may not be healthy or lengthy. Do not put off plans and goals for the future. Age is not a kind companion. We may lose the people we love, as I did, before fully living each day.
What can we do now to change the ebb and flow of our days?
Awaken early, luxuriate in the sunrise, compose music, paint or write for an hour or more, and savor coffee or tea before starting the day's routine. Meditation, prayer, running, or yoga may help some of us to be centered. Whatever inspires us, we must do it now.
Save precious time. Be alive now. Breathe in deeply. Love with your whole heart and body. Appreciate sunsets, sunrises, mountains, rivers and oceans. Live exuberantly. Let go of regret and anger. Do not wait for the future to arrive. Live conservatively enough to indulge in traveling and learning.
Health and wealth will fade. Endeavor to savor life as we pass through it. Believe in our ability to thrive. Employ all our senses, from taste to touch. Be amazed. Be grateful.
What better advice could we give our younger selves than to live fully now?
“You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment. Fools stand on their island of opportunities and look toward another land. There is no other land; there is no other life but this.”
― Henry David Thoreau
Thank you for reading. In the January 12, 2024, Medium newsletter called "The Edition," staff asked what advice we would give our younger self. This is my heartfelt response based on personal loss.
