Fast Forward

“Wouldn't it be nice if our lives were like VCRS, and we could "fast forward' through the crummy times?" ~Charles M. Schulz

There was a wonderful movie a few years back called Click that was described by IMDb as "a workaholic architect finds a universal remote that allows him to fast-forward and rewind to different parts of his life. Complications arise when the remote starts to overrule his choices."

The reviews were a bit harsh about the film, but the underlying lesson was actually pretty good. I won't spoil the film for you but the idea of having a remote control with a fast forward (FF) button is probably intriguing to you. It is likely that each of us probably wish we could FF through various parts of our lives.

There were times for me when going through divorce, the deaths of a sister, mother and brother that I might have wanted to FF through at the time. Its a selfish thought for sure and in retrospect, I am glad that I couldn't push that button on my life.

For you it might be the same things or even events of lesser degree. Maybe an upcoming test at school, job interview or tax season. There are so many things we would probably grab the remote control and press FF if it were possible. But then look at what you would miss out on.

Through death and the events surrounding it, we learn about our faith and strength. In sitting with my mother before she died I spent seven wonderful days with family and hearing her stories. When my brother passed away, I had the opportunity to see what a fantastic life he had built for himself. Even in divorce I learned more about myself then I had ever known previously.

I wouldn't be so bold as to say the experiences were or are easy. Yet life isn't always easy. Things happen, circumstance occurs, life just gets in the way of those smooth sailing plans we make. Every experience is something to cherish and hold onto. Yes, even the heartbreaking ones.

A FF button for your life may seem like the quick and simple solution. But look at all you will have missed. Life flows much too quickly as it is. A quick paced river flowing from its beginnings in Gougane Barra to where it empties into the Cork Harbor is your life. The vast eternity of the Atlantic Ocean awaits its end. Yet we need to enjoy every part of the river's journey.

Put down the remote control and leave that FF button unused. Enjoy the ups and downs and even boring parts of your life. The journey is your life. Live each and every part of it.

Don't Hold On, Get Moving

"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known." ~Carl Sagan

I am currently away this week but will return next Monday. So please hold if you wish, but I would recommend getting on with something great for your life.

I'll be back soon to encourage you along the way. So get moving, keep moving and have a great week as well.

Greatness Today

"Let the day commence and let greatness be your outcome." ~Joseph Primm

With each sunrise, the new day hands you another opportunity to do something great with your life. The ability to reach out and achieve is real and possible.

Most days we start with the thought that the same and old boring day is about to begin. We take our energy and direct it towards the "what is" instead of towards "what can be." Doing so leaves us with no energy, no motivation to grab greatness.

If you rise each day and decide that this day will be a great day, it will be. If you rise and are determined to change the things you don't like your life, you will. It all starts with changing your mindset, it starts with believing in what your heart tells you.

Believe in greatness for your life and greatness will be yours to have.

Tunnel Shines Bright

"We know that so many of the conditions and diseases that we associate with ageing can often be prevented or in fact their onset delayed if we just took preventative steps earlier in our lives." ~Julie Bishop

Pretty good day if I may say so myself. Yesterday wasn't all that pleasant but I knew today would have a good outcome. I believed it would be a good outcome and it was.

You see yesterday I started drinking liquids and consumed a drink called Moviprep. Its a drink that has this certain Je ne sais quoi. How can I describe the 64 ounces of liquid that has a pretty powerful effect upon cleansing ones body.

So yes, if you haven't figured it out yet, I was preparing for a colonoscopy today. Don't worry, I was not diagnosed with colon cancer or anything else symptomatic to require one.

The only thing I did was to reach the magical age of fifty. And it is this age at which it becomes prudent to start checking out the various bodily functions. With that number of years, each of us need to check and ensure things are still in good working order. If not, then we try to catch the problems early on so that they can be treated and help give us a better chance at fifty more years.

The interesting thing is that I was very comfortable getting it done. I could do without the prep drink, but the procedure was not of concern to me. Sure, what would be found or not found lay in the back of my mind. But I knew very well that whatever the outcome, I'd keep moving forward with my life.

Many people fail to go get simple medical checkups or even these types of preventative procedures done. They are afraid of what might be found. They are scared of the possibility that life will be forever changed.

Well guess what, find it out now or find it out later, life is going to change either way. I kind of like the odds of finding out early and having a chance of doing something about it before its found out late. Which means it may be too late to do anything then.

So yes, the light shined through the tunnel and all was clear. I awoke and didn't make too big of a scene coming out of sedation. Its not to say I didn't, but then...no one's talking.

Get your medical checkups when you can. Get these types of procedures done when you can. Keep your life in tune and running sharp. A big and grand life awaits you.