Because they never do.
I caught myself doing it again.
I’ll relax when I finish this.
I’ll go outside after I get that done.
I should take care of this first.
There’s always a should lurking somewhere, isn’t there?
I think I learned that a long time ago. Work first. Responsibilities first. Take care of what needs taking care of. Then, when everything is done, you can do something for yourself.
Except nobody mentioned one small problem:
Everything is never done.
There will always be laundry, bills, emails, taxes, weeds, appointments and, apparently, an air conditioner that decides to die when it’s hotter than hell’s hinges outside. 😂
If I wait until all of that is finished before I give myself permission to enjoy my life, I could be waiting a very long time.
Maybe the priorities need rearranging
I’m not suggesting we abandon responsibility and run off into the sunset. Although some days that sounds pretty darn good.
I’m talking about putting living on the list too.
Take the walk.
Call somebody you’ve been thinking about.
Sit outside with your coffee.
Take the camera even when you’re not planning to photograph anything.
Talk to the stranger standing next to you.
Watch the sunset instead of thinking about what you should be doing.
That isn’t wasting time.
That IS the time.
And then there’s age…
Age brings something wonderful: perspective. We know more. We’ve survived things. We understand ourselves better. We’ve learned what matters—and quite a bit about what doesn’t.
But somewhere along the way another pesky little lie can sneak into our thoughts:
Maybe I’m too old for that.
Nah.
I’m keeping the wisdom. The limitation can go.
I still want to learn things, get stronger, travel, create photographs, meet interesting people, take unfamiliar roads and occasionally do something simply because I damn well feel like it.
Maybe that’s part of growing older too—not surrendering, but becoming more selective about what deserves our precious time.
I’m trying something different
When I hear myself say “I should…”, I’m learning to ask:
Do I really need to—or is this just an old should?
Sometimes the answer is: Yep, Bo. Do the damn taxes. 😂
But sometimes?
Sit your ass down and watch the lake.
The chores will still be there.
The sunset won’t.
So here’s what I’m trying to remember:
Don’t postpone living until the chores run out. They never do.
Do what needs doing. Take care of your people. Keep learning. Keep moving. Use the wisdom you’ve earned.
But make some room for yourself in there too.
This isn’t rehearsal. Today is usable life. USE IT.
Carpe the Damn Diem. ❤️
“Keeping Company” ©BoKociubaPhotography
P.S.
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