Wendy@ Taking the Long Way Home wrote a post about being cautious. It is really
inspiring and you should go read it. In a comment, I told her about one of my
favorite poems. It’s called Dust If You Must. I have it hanging on my classroom
door and would like to post it here for you to read today.
Dust if you must, but wouldn't it be better,
To paint a picture or write a letter, Bake a cake or plant a seed, Ponder the difference between want and need? Dust if you must, but there's not much time, With rivers to swim and mountains to climb, Music to hear and books to read, Friends to cherish and life to lead. Dust if you must, but the world's out there With the sun in your eyes, the wind in your hair, A flutter of snow, a shower of rain. This day will not come 'round again. Dust if you must, but bear in mind, Old age will come and it's not always kind. And when you go and go you must, You, yourself, will make more dust. |
I
seriously get tears in my eyes every time I read this poem. The last line is so
powerful: “And when you go and go you must, You, yourself, will make more dust." It just gets me.
My takeaway from this poem is: Don't live your life the way you think you "should" live it. Live it the way you want to live it.
We only have one shot at this crazy life. I don't want to get to the end of it and think, "I wish I would have done (fill in the blank) but I was too afraid." There is no next time. This is it!
A couple years ago, Paul and I decided that we were going to live life in "high def". We would no longer feel bad about spending money on trips and experiences because those are things we will never look back and regret. I mean seriously, has anyone on their deathbed said, "Gee, I never should have taken that trip to the Grand Canyon."
We only have one shot at this crazy life. I don't want to get to the end of it and think, "I wish I would have done (fill in the blank) but I was too afraid." There is no next time. This is it!
A couple years ago, Paul and I decided that we were going to live life in "high def". We would no longer feel bad about spending money on trips and experiences because those are things we will never look back and regret. I mean seriously, has anyone on their deathbed said, "Gee, I never should have taken that trip to the Grand Canyon."
I know that for everyone, work can get monotonous, the weeks can drag, and we can easily end up being too busy to do the things we really care about doing. I think it is important to pause and remember that this is OUR LIFE and we should live it exactly how we want!
I love this post!! Thank you for sharing and putting things in perspective!!
ReplyDeleteNo problem! I need the reminder. Especially this week. I have been pretty pissy about stuff that means NOTHING in the grand scheme of things.
DeleteThis hits home for me. I lost my mom 10 years ago and it taught me a big lesson in living life to the fullest (she was only 63 when she died). Last summer, my brother in law was playing video games w/ his 10 year old son, my sister went downstairs to give them both some lemonade and give them good-night kisses....she walked up the stairs and Jason had an aneurysm. The next day they took his organs for donation and we said goodbye. He was only 43 years old and full of life. I've never been through a more difficult experience and to watch my sweet sister and her son piece their lives back together is just the hardest thing. Tomorrow is not promised. Go live...love...laugh...have fun...embrace the challenges!
ReplyDeleteThat is just so horrible. I seriously can't even imagine how painful that was for everyone involved. I am so sorry for you and your family's loss. :(
DeleteMeg with the Deep Cuts today!!
ReplyDeleteI love this post, and that poem. It really speaks to a lot I've been going through this summer, of obsessing over making things look neat and tidy in my life (both literally and figuratively) and feeling like I can't relax and have fun until everything is in its place. Finally I was like...you know what? It's okay if the house isn't spotless every single day. Really. It is. Let go.
I actually have a similar post to this scheduled for the end of the week for my blog streak :-)
I can't WAIT for your streak and am excited to read your post regarding this. :)
DeleteSo true. I really value the time my family has spent together on vacations and seeing the world. So many great experiences waiting out there! You just never know how much time you have left.
ReplyDeleteI really want to have as many experiences with Paul as I can! I am glad you value that too and you can never take away an amazing experience from your kid!
DeleteI really needed to read this today, Meg! Like, really really needed it. Thanks. XO
ReplyDeleteGOOD! We all need this once in awhile.
DeleteThis means so much. I have recently had to start thinking like this because if I didn't my depression overtook my life in the worst ways possible. I can no longer live wishing and wanting for things that are out of my reach. Have you ever read the Dash? It will make you cry
ReplyDeletebakingrunner.blogspot.com
I have never read Dash, I will look into it! I am sorry to hear you struggle with depression. I know depression is no joke and whatever can help you deal with it, I hope it keeps working! Stay well, friend!
DeleteI love your attitude! Adam and I feel the same way about spending money on trips and experiences. I've been told before that you're supposed to wait and travel during retirement, but that sounds so boring to me. Why waste your best years dreaming about traveling 'some day'? No thanks!
ReplyDeleteNot having kids definitely makes travel less complicated (and less expensive)!
I agree I want to travel NOW. Also, not to be morbid, but we do not KNOW when our lives could be cut short. I'd hate to save everything for when I retire and then freaking die before then!
DeleteLOL me too!
ReplyDelete