You Never Known When You're Gonna Go

From a very early age you simply assume that you will live a long life and die in your sleep at some advanced age. You think you know this, that you can count on it.

But you don't know that. And, unfortunately, everyday life gives us ample reason to re-examine those assumptions.

For an recent and tragic example, see the story HERE of a 38 year old guy jogging on a South Carolina beach who was killed by a small airplane that crash landed on him. You think that guy went on his trip to S.C. and in particular his jog that day thinking that he'd never get home or finish his run because he'd be smashed dead by a small airplane making an emergency landing? No way. Certainly not.

Our daily lives, our families and certainly the news are filled with all too real events that should give all of us ample reasons to think twice about the fragility of life.

Our society says go to school, get a job, get married, buy a house (and go into debt), have children, work for 40 years, save some money during this time for retirement, retire at or about 65 years old...and only THEN start doing things you really want because you have the time and means to do so.

I say that's a formula for missing out on a lot of life and our world, and it points out something that I've felt all along, which is...do what you want now.

Cease the moment, capitalize on your youth to circumvent the expected progression of your life. Certainly don't be stupid with your money, time and safety...but also don't buy into the notion that you must postpone your dreams for "someday," because, well, that day may never come. And hey, if you do end up living a long life, guess what? You've filled that life with incredible experiences, people and lessons that you otherwise would have missed out on.

Am I saying that I think people shouldn't get married, have children or buy that house so they can travel, paint, write, surf or...well, do anything they desire? No. I am not.

But, I am advocating for finding ways to break out of the norm to indulge those desires now without postponing them to someday because, like the guy out for a jog on a South Carolina beach, you never know when you're gonna go.