My friend Kerry gave me some great advice this summer. We were out on the golf course when I decided to ask some fun, hypothetical questions such as: “If you could travel anywhere for a day….”, “If you could eat dinner with anyone…”, “If you could go back in time…” just to spice up the conversation. I love questions like that. Now, six months later, one of his answers still resonates with me.
I asked Kerry, who is in his upper 60′s, what single message he would leave behind if he was certain it would fall into the hands of someone who needed it. More simply, I wanted the best, single piece of advice that he could give someone. He didn’t have to think for more than a couple of seconds before he replied. “Enjoy life along the way, don’t wait until the end.”
What a great, simple message. Life is not certain. Retirement is not certain. Although it’s important to work hard now for future desires (houses, cars, vacations, leisure, etc.), we must keep in mind that the journey is just as important as the destination. We don’t know how we’ll feel when we get older, we don’t know what opportunities will be lost, and we don’t know if we’ll be “up for it” when we turn 70. Maybe we will, but maybe we won’t. Why take that chance? Kerry went on to say, “If you want to go golfing with your friends, go! If you want to have some fun, do it! But don’t wait until your old.”
“My advice to you is not to inquire why or whither, but just enjoy your ice cream while it’s on your plate.” ~Thornton Wilder
Photo by The Point Residences
