Don't Blink

I find it hard to believe how fast time goes by – one minute you are in high school, the next minute you are getting emails for your 30 year reunion. Were emails even invented in 1982? I didn't have one.

How could 30 years have passed so quickly? It was the best of times; it was the worst of times ... I mean going to high school. I remember my mother telling me that someday I will wish I was back in high school. She was so wrong; I do not miss one single thing about being in school. Sorry Mom, I much rather be older and maybe wiser than dealing with the petty nonsense of school life. I like my life where it is right now, middle age is suits me perfectly!

I feel like the same girl as the 18-year-old who graduated back then – even though I now I have grown children and a grandchild. How did this happen? I am the same person (at least I think so) where did the time go? Did I blink or really enjoy these 30 years? I would like to think that it is a combination of sorts. I am one of those people who try to enjoy my life and live for the moment, but I also have the terrible misfortune of not preparing much for the future, beyond a week or two. It does seem that the older I get, the shorter the days, the seasons, and the years – you get the general idea, right?

It seems like yesterday I was getting married, having my children, worrying about whether they had nursed enough, thrived enough, did their homework enough, would they make cheerleading and tennis and band and softball. ... The list goes on and on. Just yesterday I was sitting at football games while they were cheerleaders or watching them graduate from high school, helping them unpack at college.

The years passed so quickly and I tried to enjoy my children growing up as much as possible – I actually played games with my children and spent every minute with them, even though at times it was overwhelming having the responsibility of raising a family. I look at them now and realize that before I know it they will be attending their 30-year reunions and looking back and saying, "where did the time go..." My oldest daughter has her 10-year reunion this year. Wow, times flies!

This song that I am going to "showcase" today is one that definitely worth listening to the video. It is about a man who is 102 and talks about how quickly his life went by... and he tells you to live for the day, don't blink. He says that one day you are 6 years old, the next minute you are 25 getting married, then your kids grow up and have kids of their own and next thing you know your wife of 50 years is dying. He tells you not to blink because 100 years goes "faster than you think." The old man gives us some sage advice that we all should try to follow.

There are certain times in life where you just cannot live in the moment, and you are rushing towards the next event. We are all guilty of this at times in our lives. I really am trying to enjoy my life to the fullest extent to watch the sunrise and the sunset, to linger over the morning coffee and not stress over the "small" stuff. I wish I could preserve these "middle age" years and stay here forever. A time where the pressures of raising your children are over and old age is not quite sunk in ... I call it the time between taking your children to the doctor and going to doctor appointments yourself every day.

I know a lot of people think they should wait to enjoy until they are retired or older or richer ... but who knows if we will make it that long. If we do live to be old, will we be well enough to travel or will we be at the doctor every day? I think that you have to appreciate every moment in your life and try hard to live in the moment as best you can. Don't stop planning for the future, just enjoy every day to the fullest. Who knows what the future holds? Don't blink... because when the hour glass runs out of sand, you cannot turn it over and start again.

Click here: Kenny Chesney - Don't Blink - YouTube