What are you waiting for?
Change is good. Same ole same ole is bad. What are you waiting for? A train, a cab, a friend, a lover, the end of the world?
Why do we wait? Why do we sit and see what happens instead of making things happen? (this is mostly directed at me, just my way of writing) Why would you let this conflict sit and rot, or that opportunity pass you by? Why do we all feel like we're stuck? Bills, tuitions, house/car payments, status quo.
Me? I want to go and open a dive shop in Madagascar and never wear anything besides flipflops ever again. I want to grow my hair and my beard out, wear all 5 of my earrings again, and fuck industry, fuck all that crap, just run and dive, and swim, and enjoy life.
How many people really enjoy what they do? If you do, congratulations and I hate you 
(j/k) Some of us are lucky enough to do what we enjoy, and truth to tell - I do like my job and the people I work with. Are there changes I'd like to make? Sure, but all in all, I do like my company.
So what's my point? Do I think we should all quit and go pursue our hearts desires? Lets be realistic, a lot of us have kids and/or responsibilities and things that are tying us down, and you know what? That's okay. We have made decisions that have lead us here, and we do all need to be responsible for what we do. Do I ever think I'll open that scuba shop in Madagascar? Probably not, but for now I can look at ways I can dive more. Just the feeling of being under water for extended periods made me feel 'right', like I should be doing it more often.
Realism - diving is EXPENSIVE!!! So I'm bending my thoughts on how to make some things possible without being irresponsible.
I've also been a douche to be around the last two weeks or so. Need to work on that. Okay, so that part was one of those things that comes pouring out my fingers before my brain really notices. May be playing Sorry or Clue during lunch today.
The point I was really trying to make is, while we all need to be realistic, why don't we pursue the things we've always wanted to do? A friend of mine (I was going to say an online friend since I've never met her, but she is a friend) has a gift for writing that comes through in her blog and it's lovely. I'm really hoping that she takes the opportunity that a change in her life will allow her to pursue that. I have a few other friends whom are going through some rough stuff right now and I hope they try to see opportunities to change things or take advantage of opportunities that present themselves that will help them come out healthier on the other end.
One of our favorite musicals is Rent. 'No Day but Today' is one of the songs that inspired this post (Gillian is watching it and I heard the song as I was taking my sickie wife some tea). The lyrics are powerful and I wanted to share them, and hope that it'll hit you like it hit me.
There's only now
There's only here
Give in to love
Or live in fear
No other path
No other way
No day but today
Today is all you have control over. Today is what you can do something about right now. Tomorrow will come soon enough, and yesterday is already gone. Let shit go that you've been holding onto and reach out to people you miss. Tell the people you love that you love them, and make sure they see your face and know you mean it. Go for a dive in your head, and come up with one thing different you're going to do today that will allow you to get closer to that dive shop, or that restaurant, or that relationship, or that finished book.
Don't tell anyone, just do it. Don't promise anyone, just do it. And don't let yourself get in the way of doing something today. And when tomorrow becomes today, do it again, or do something different.
I wish you peace in all that you do, and all that you are.
September 1st, 2011 - 12:53
Yep! So true. And my response to that today is just as soon as I finish clearing out my reader (only have 9 more posts to read and that will be done -for now) I’m gonna go to the kitchen and wash those dishes cluttering up my sink right now. (I hate to do dishes and since procrastination is one of my finest qualities, I’ve been milking that to the hilt this a.m.) Thanks for the good reminder to “just do it!”
September 1st, 2011 - 19:15
I love this. These are just the words I needed to hear (or rather,read) today. I have been struggling lately – with a job that I alternately want to embrace and excel at, or up and leave. It’s funny that you ask if we’re all doing exactly what it is we want to be doing. For me? That’s a big N-O. My job is a challenge and I love to be challenged, but it’s not what I would choose to do if I could do anything. My life is changing. Kids are growing up and moving on. (Funny, I do NOT feel old enough yet for this to be happening.)
I’m going to take your advice to heart. You’ve just hit on what is really important in life. Do what you have to do. Be responsible. But follow your heart a little bit too. This is a time in my life when I can sink or swim. I’m going to swim.
(Hug! Thanks!)
September 1st, 2011 - 19:27
No Problem Jeni. And Terri, after reading your post, that kind of inspired me
September 2nd, 2011 - 06:37
To everything there is a season. I know I reached a just do it point when I left the security of my job to open my own practice. And other times, waiting is just the thing.
But I have to say, the thought of you living the rest of your life naked except for flip flops made me giggle.
September 2nd, 2011 - 08:32
wow, I meant only thing on my feet, but hey, if I gave you a giggle, awesome