Stop Wasting Time

Hurricane Harvey, and Hurricane Irma, have been making me think. This life is short. We don't have forever on this earth. It's too short to waste on trivial things. Let's talk about what is really important! I've put together a small list of important things.

1. Don't wait to tell your parents you love them. If your parents took the time to birth you, and raise you, they deserve to know your feelings about them. But what about if your parents were jerks? That is true for some people. Which brings me to my next point.

2. Don't wait too long to forgive! People are flawed. They make mistakes. Some of their mistakes are horrific! However, harboring resentment hurts only you. If someone is truly a jerk, they aren't going to care whether you have hurtful feelings toward them. Those hurtful feelings are only cluttering up YOUR life, making YOU miserable. Forgive, and go on. Now some people mistake forgiveness for allowing someone to hurt you over, and over again. That is NOT forgiveness! That is stupidity! Let it go...

3. Don't wait until its too late to go fishing with your Dad. My Dad died in 2015. Daddy was a former pastor. He worked for the Lord, till his heart gave out. Then he, and my mother moved in with my aged grandparents, and Daddy spent the rest of his life serving those who gave him life.
   Grandpa lived till he was 99. When Dad was out of high school, one time he and Grandpa, had a huge fight. I don't know what it was about, maybe the fact that Dad didn't want to go to college? It really doesn't matter, because Dad got mad, joined the Air Force, and left home. Whatever was said affected Grandpa, and Dad's relationship for a long time, not so I knew it as a kid, but even though we spent a lot of time with Grandma, and Grandpa over the years, there was still some simmering resentment. Refer to #2. Which brings me to mention that someday, the kid, or person you are mad at, may be the one who lives with you, helps you around when you are blind, and changes your diapers...

4. Don't wait too long to sing with your Mama. My Mama grew up in a singing family. She always wanted us to be a singing family as well. Of the three of us, I was the only one who pursued music. I always loved to sing with Mom, but I never did enough of it. Time passes quickly. In the last few years, Mama has lost most of her singing voice, and I regret not singing with her more than I did. The first time I performed in front of people, in a long line of performances, I sang a duet with my mother, "Silent Night". I wish now, I could sing with her every day. And now, it is a very rare event. First, she lives across the country. Second, her voice only allows an occasional glimpse of her formerly gorgeous alto voice. And some day, she won't be here to sing with at all.

5. Don't wait too long to cuddle, and love on your kids, young Moms. Believe me when I say, your time with them is but a breath. Every minute you spend away from them, is a minute you can't get back! There is plenty of time to do other things later. So when they go to sleep, get them glasses of water, and talk to them about their dreams. When they spread poop on the walls, count yourself blessed to clean them up! Smile, and laugh with them, now. Give them your all, because that investment pays off in peace of mind later.

6. Don't wait too long to teach your kids how to work, and to work with joy! " Many hands make light work. ", the saying goes! True love for your kids recognizes that some day, work will pay their bills, and feed your grandchildren! So give them a hoe, or a rake. Make them mow lawns. Work along side them in the kitchen. Work WITH them. Be joyful in your labor with them, and they will be joyful in labor.

7. Don't wait too long to tell your kids, and grandkids all your stories. Kids love to listen to stories of their parents, and grandparents! Since, Grandpa, and Grandma( She lived until she was 102, and died two months after Daddy), and Daddy died, I realized I am all that is left of their stories. I am the book of their life for my kids, and grandkids. Frankly, I feel inadequate for the job.

8. Don't wait too long to live a compassionate life. There are so many out there who struggle from day to day. Make it a point to be compassionate to those who come across your way. Help others when you can. Give when you have the opportunity. Love the unlovable. You can be an ambassador for good in the world, or you can be a hindrance for everyone.

9. Don't wait too long to really be a blessing to your community. Serve on the school board. Help at the soup kitchen. Visit the rest home. Clean up litter. Take someone a pie. Be the person that you would like to see walk up to your house sometime!

10. Lastly, don't take too long to prepare for the life after this one. " For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world, through him, might be saved.".

Yes, the hurricanes, have been making me think...