So it's been a while since we posted last and it appears to be an unfortunate habit we have already formed. One of the reasons is because Selladore has had a busy summer. (Some say it's been our busiest yet!) Another reason is partly because I spent the last two weeks or so fighting the idea of writing this blog post. Here's why: people were very kind with regards to my previous post about the way we use our time and the last thing I wanted to do was write a lame sequel. Life had other plans.
Last time I wrote about the old adage "You have time for what you care about". It's undoubtedly true, but these last months or so I have been learning a follow up truth:
Time is fleeting.
This isn't exactly news, but for me it's been hitting home recently. Whether it be the family 16-year-old puppy passing away, mentors unexpectedly moving to who-knows-where, family moving farther away, or even a side project that we are doing before its too late; all of these have been underlining this simple truth that time moves and there is no going back.
While experiencing this truth can quickly turn melancholy and induce regret it has actually made me very grateful. These events may not be completely earth-shattering, but I can say that I don't really have any regrets. And I'm super grateful for that. Before these events I wondered if I should not spend as much time visiting family and just get to work. Now, on the other side of these events, it's clear to me that I made the right choice in spending time with them because soon I won't have the chance.
I attended college about 4 hours from home and I would frequently visit home on the weekends. One time after the Super Bowl, I started returning to school after 1:00 A.M. and had to study for an intense exam at 9:00 A.M. the next day. Being 1,400 miles away now, I don't regret that at all! I did fine on the exam, but even if I didn't, the time I had with my family was worth it. When people are facing their last moments on earth regrets are rarely, if ever, about getting better grades, making more money, getting a better job, being famous, or getting the latest iPhone or gadget. It's about people. I don't want to reach the end of life with regrets, I want to be grateful for the time I've had with the people I love. Time is fleeting. Let's live life with no regrets. Let's make time for those we care about. Maybe it's a phone call, a visit, or a Skype call. No regrets.
Time is an investment. And I don't think you can lose when you invest in people, especially the people you care about.
Time is a cold wind blowing through the leaves
Of a tired old tree I sit beneath
Where I think about the world and I don’t know how
What will happen to us now?
And it comes and it goes
Where it’s headed, no one knows
And we come and we go
All the saints and the liars, sittin’ by the fire
What will happen to us now?
- Noah Gundersen, "Middle of June"