Your musings reminded me of Thornton Wilder’s beloved play “Our Town” and the character Emily Webb’s famous and oft-repeated line:
“Oh, earth, you're too wonderful for anybody to realize you. Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it -- every, every minute?”
On the cusp of going to college I felt sad, uncertain and somewhat unwilling to leave home and all that was familiar. My mom, on the other hand, was thrilled at the prospect of having no kids in the house and a looser, freer schedule. Talk about role reversal!
Now that I’m older and more aware of fleeting moments while they’re happening, I take photos or videos and jot down a few words to remind my future self of the emotions or thoughts I felt in that particular moment. I also try to share my appreciation, joy, or gratitude I’m feeling with others while in that moment.
It’s a lovely play and I always am teary eyed when I see it. My dad played George, Emily’s sweetheart, in his high school play. I wonder, at that particular age, whether students in the play truly “got” the message that life’s moments are so ephemeral, shimmering, and fleeting.
An older colleague who noticed how often I stayed late at work would say to me, “Come on, kiddo. It’s time to go home now. You gotta stop and smell the roses more. Work will still be here when you come back in the morning.”
Right? It gets us into that flow state that I've read about -- I even have a book on it somewhere -- that is just essential for feeling fully alive, I think.
What a phenomenal and thought-provoking newsletter! My children are grown and have children of their own. I remember when our "baby" went to college, and my husband and I (and our cat!) were eating our first dinner as empty nesters. I blurted out, in tears, "well, this is stupid!!" I chuckle now but oh how life does seem to fly. One thing I started doing several years ago (I know many do this) is journal briefly every morning. As the new years begins, I read back on what I have written. Most times I laugh, other times I cry, sometimes I just remember. At times I've gone back to my first journals... maybe 5 years ago. Wow, I guess life isn't "stupid" with no kids at home. It's different, and I am ever evolving. Aren't we all?! Thank you for letting me share this.
Thank you for sharing this, Debby! I've kept journals in the past, but haven't done so in a long, long time. I think maybe I should start again -- I really love hearing what keeping one has done for you. I think there's something sacred about remembering, you know?
This is great. I’ve been trying to immerse myself in the moment more, with varying results! Just trying to be aware and present has been a nice first step. Thanks for this!
Interesting timing of this as I've been asking friends all day (in anticipation of launching a project) What is the best advice you've ever received? What is the ONE piece of advice you'd like to leave your children with? I'm open to ANY and ALL responses from this group, too!
One thing I've learned from experience from my own life, is to try not to get too down (or too up) about anything. I've had experiences (like my divorce from my first wife) when I was really, really despondent, and thought my life was over. Now, of course, I'm married to someone else and have a family, and a completely different life. You really just never, ever know what's around the bend -- I know it sounds like a cliche, but I'm here to tell you it's true.
And, invest in no-load, no-fee index funds as early as you can, no matter the amount. The power of compounding over the long term is just incredible 👍
Terrell—thank you so much for responding! And it’s oh-so-hard to stay steady during those times, but as you say, you just never know how things will work out. (And they often work out better than you could ever have imagined!)
As for point #2—I swear, in my coaching business I tell(no, I browbeat) people to gamify frugality and sock it away. You really, really don’t need that $500 purse. I promise, you’ll be selling it on consignment for $75 down the road.
The best lesson and advice I have ever learned and received are “Keep At It !!” It sounds so simple but is very profound. Life is bound to be exuberant at times and then bring us way down. Through it all, the people who move forward are the ones who keep going despite of everything.
Sometimes we move forward by retreating but even when we do that we are still keeping at it. The journey isn’t everything but it is the only thing. We chase goals and ambitions in life without ever thinking about the act of achieving those goals and ambitions. We never take a moment to enjoy the activity that leads to success or failure. So the journey we partake in is what really matters and keeping at it is what makes the journey possible.
It is never too late to start a new venture, a new dream, a new journey. However, you need to have the mental and physical acuity to be able to do it. Hence why it is very important to practice discipline in real life. Discipline doesn’t mean you have to go and try to do something impossible and practice it to the point of failure. It means to start with something very small and build up on it.
Like not listening to that inner voice that tells you to hit that snooze button, get a little more of that comfort nap. It is very easy to get carried away in life by just letting go and amount to nothing in the name of enjoyment and taking it easy. What is really hard is to shake yourself up and regain the focus and find the discipline to keep going and keep doing. You may not have a destination in mind and you may not even have a result in mind but incremental steps to finding either of those is way better than being stagnant and static.
Growth is a mindset that we need to control so we can learn how to grow from within in this world which tries to hinder that very thought !!!
people say when you are younger time goes slow, and the older you get time seems to fly. i see my nieces at xmas and see how they are growing up and it is crazy how the years are going by so quick. doing the math i maybe have 30ish good years left on the planet if i keep my health. so i'm making my moments count, traveling as much as possible, and spending time with the people i want to...social politeness is overrated!
Your musings reminded me of Thornton Wilder’s beloved play “Our Town” and the character Emily Webb’s famous and oft-repeated line:
“Oh, earth, you're too wonderful for anybody to realize you. Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it -- every, every minute?”
On the cusp of going to college I felt sad, uncertain and somewhat unwilling to leave home and all that was familiar. My mom, on the other hand, was thrilled at the prospect of having no kids in the house and a looser, freer schedule. Talk about role reversal!
Now that I’m older and more aware of fleeting moments while they’re happening, I take photos or videos and jot down a few words to remind my future self of the emotions or thoughts I felt in that particular moment. I also try to share my appreciation, joy, or gratitude I’m feeling with others while in that moment.
I love this so much, Christine -- this really touched my heart! I'm going to remember that line from Our Town 👍
It’s a lovely play and I always am teary eyed when I see it. My dad played George, Emily’s sweetheart, in his high school play. I wonder, at that particular age, whether students in the play truly “got” the message that life’s moments are so ephemeral, shimmering, and fleeting.
Addendum:
Best advice which helps me find balance.
An older colleague who noticed how often I stayed late at work would say to me, “Come on, kiddo. It’s time to go home now. You gotta stop and smell the roses more. Work will still be here when you come back in the morning.”
I think it was in the book Running Home where Katie was running and singing "High Hopes!" I do that to myself frequently!
There is nothing in life more important--and more fulfilling--than simply paying attention.
Right? It gets us into that flow state that I've read about -- I even have a book on it somewhere -- that is just essential for feeling fully alive, I think.
What a phenomenal and thought-provoking newsletter! My children are grown and have children of their own. I remember when our "baby" went to college, and my husband and I (and our cat!) were eating our first dinner as empty nesters. I blurted out, in tears, "well, this is stupid!!" I chuckle now but oh how life does seem to fly. One thing I started doing several years ago (I know many do this) is journal briefly every morning. As the new years begins, I read back on what I have written. Most times I laugh, other times I cry, sometimes I just remember. At times I've gone back to my first journals... maybe 5 years ago. Wow, I guess life isn't "stupid" with no kids at home. It's different, and I am ever evolving. Aren't we all?! Thank you for letting me share this.
Thank you for sharing this, Debby! I've kept journals in the past, but haven't done so in a long, long time. I think maybe I should start again -- I really love hearing what keeping one has done for you. I think there's something sacred about remembering, you know?
I happen to be re-reading "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle. A word to the wise is sufficient...
I actually was just reading something somewhere else about that book... I need to check it out.
This is great. I’ve been trying to immerse myself in the moment more, with varying results! Just trying to be aware and present has been a nice first step. Thanks for this!
Right back at you, Andrew! It takes practice, doesn't it?
Interesting timing of this as I've been asking friends all day (in anticipation of launching a project) What is the best advice you've ever received? What is the ONE piece of advice you'd like to leave your children with? I'm open to ANY and ALL responses from this group, too!
One thing I've learned from experience from my own life, is to try not to get too down (or too up) about anything. I've had experiences (like my divorce from my first wife) when I was really, really despondent, and thought my life was over. Now, of course, I'm married to someone else and have a family, and a completely different life. You really just never, ever know what's around the bend -- I know it sounds like a cliche, but I'm here to tell you it's true.
And, invest in no-load, no-fee index funds as early as you can, no matter the amount. The power of compounding over the long term is just incredible 👍
Terrell—thank you so much for responding! And it’s oh-so-hard to stay steady during those times, but as you say, you just never know how things will work out. (And they often work out better than you could ever have imagined!)
As for point #2—I swear, in my coaching business I tell(no, I browbeat) people to gamify frugality and sock it away. You really, really don’t need that $500 purse. I promise, you’ll be selling it on consignment for $75 down the road.
Thanks again!
The best lesson and advice I have ever learned and received are “Keep At It !!” It sounds so simple but is very profound. Life is bound to be exuberant at times and then bring us way down. Through it all, the people who move forward are the ones who keep going despite of everything.
Sometimes we move forward by retreating but even when we do that we are still keeping at it. The journey isn’t everything but it is the only thing. We chase goals and ambitions in life without ever thinking about the act of achieving those goals and ambitions. We never take a moment to enjoy the activity that leads to success or failure. So the journey we partake in is what really matters and keeping at it is what makes the journey possible.
This is gold! Thank you, Sumesh, for taking the time to respond and share. 🙏
Thoughts 💭…
It is never too late to start a new venture, a new dream, a new journey. However, you need to have the mental and physical acuity to be able to do it. Hence why it is very important to practice discipline in real life. Discipline doesn’t mean you have to go and try to do something impossible and practice it to the point of failure. It means to start with something very small and build up on it.
Like not listening to that inner voice that tells you to hit that snooze button, get a little more of that comfort nap. It is very easy to get carried away in life by just letting go and amount to nothing in the name of enjoyment and taking it easy. What is really hard is to shake yourself up and regain the focus and find the discipline to keep going and keep doing. You may not have a destination in mind and you may not even have a result in mind but incremental steps to finding either of those is way better than being stagnant and static.
Growth is a mindset that we need to control so we can learn how to grow from within in this world which tries to hinder that very thought !!!
Ooohhhh that’s a good question… let me think on it!
people say when you are younger time goes slow, and the older you get time seems to fly. i see my nieces at xmas and see how they are growing up and it is crazy how the years are going by so quick. doing the math i maybe have 30ish good years left on the planet if i keep my health. so i'm making my moments count, traveling as much as possible, and spending time with the people i want to...social politeness is overrated!