It's Your Life...

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do
than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines,
sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore, Dream, Discover.
H. Jackson Brown Jr.

by Skip Cohen

​It's Sunday morning, and I always run amok from my usual topics of business and marketing. It's my time to share whatever's on my mind or, as is often the case, in my heart. 

I first read the quote above many years ago and probably used it in a post somewhere along the last fifteen years of blogging. However, as I grow older, the things I've read in the past often take on a different meaning, one that is more poignant. It's like allowing a bottle of wine to open up, and improve with time.

Right now, it's not much different from during the pandemic or a hurricane; so many of us are hunkered down. From the insanity of politics, to rising prices, unemployment, wars on the other side of the world, the daily barrage of bullshit from Washington, to watching Mother Nature's wrath with floods, fires, and even a tsunami! 

The world is bizarre right now, and in most cases, there's little we can do about it. But you've got a choice to make: hunker down and lose sleep worrying, or live the life you dreamt about over the years. I'm not suggesting you ignore everything that bothers you, just shift your focus to things that make you smile and set whatever standards make your life worth living.

Here's another way to look at it...We have a good friend whose husband passed away three years ago. He collected some incredible wines. The collection included one bottle worth close to $1,000, but they were saving it for a special occasion. He passed away before they could drink it. Her only comment is a lesson from the quote above: "What were we waiting for?"

Here's my point: Those of you who are younger than I am (lately, that seems like everybody!) will just have to trust me when I ask you to read the quote above again. Life doesn't slow down and wait for you. Now, what are you going to do to explore, dream, and discover?

Wishing everyone a day ahead that's filled with time to sail away from safe harbor. Take those risks that make your heart soar and put a smile on your face. Remember, just like sailing, you've got a terrific crew - those special people in your life who care about you, love you, and watch your back. You know, the ones that get those eleven-second therapeutic hugs, I always write about.

Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world.

Taking risks doesn’t mean you don’t feel fear, acknowledge fear,
or let fear inform you; you just don’t let it stop you.
Caren Merrick