New Bloggy Update 9/28/23

Time and tide wait for no man. ‘ – Geoffrey Chaucer

No, I haven’t started burying myself in the works of the English poet, except for the fact that the sentiment has hit very close to home as of late.

My sister-in-law passed away very recently. She was only 67.

In 1984, my dad passed away at 59 – the age I’m currently at now.

These are the memories, thoughts, and mental gymnastics which have been plaguing my mind over the past few weeks. Aside from pragmatically looking at what I can personally do to “prepare” (both legally and health-wise), it’s made me painfully aware of time, plans, and priorities.

I don’t want to have this be a morbid post. Rather, let this stand as a monument and a moment of consideration to what’s important in life and where best to put one’s energies while the ability and opportunity exist. Does that mean that every moment of life has to be configured into something uplifting and/or productive?

No, of course not. Whiling away a Sunday afternoon napping on the couch with spouse and kitties is still one of the greatest ways to spend part of a weekend. Listening to an album, watching a re-run of The Office, or trying to find another pair of jeans in what passes for a mall these days are all worthwhile pursuits.

But in regard to the big picture, some decisions and choices now give me pause. Am I going to endlessly worry about a bad review from a few years ago? Do I REALLY care where I meet my friend for dinner or will it just be enough to see and visit with her? If I’d like to write a book in a different genre (and non-fiction, no less!) in my lifetime, should be concerned that my handful of fans won’t like it or instead, fulfill that inner desire to have it out in the world?

The meaningful vs. the meaningless – who and what truly matters in your life? Time is a tricky thing. It’s something that no one can alter, get more of, or save. You can’t bank it. You can’t hide it. All you can do it use it to the best of your ability.

Next bloggy update will be “back to normal”, I promise. I just felt that these feelings and ruminations were too important not to share. Please feel free to comment on your own inner dialogue with regard to life, the universe, and everything.