More often than not, my articles on this blog address business topics and issues.  Occasionally I insert an article that has more of a “life focus” to it.  This is one of those moments.  Yesterday I received a forwarded email message from my closest friend Kathy, which contained a really eye-opening message.  I was so moved by it that I decided to post it in this article.  Unfortunately this author is anonymous, but their words are heartfelt.

Life’s Truth

Too many people put off something that brings them joy just because they haven’t thought about it, don’t have it on their schedule, didn’t know it was coming or are too rigid to depart from their routine.

I got to thinking one day about all those people on the Titanic who passed up dessert at dinner that fateful night in an effort to cut back. From then on, I’ve tried to be a little more flexible.

How many women out there will eat at home because their husband didn’t suggest going out to dinner until after something had been thawed? Does the word ‘refrigeration’ mean nothing to you?

How often have your kids dropped in to talk and sat in silence while you watched ‘Jeopardy’ on television?

“I cannot count the times I called my sister and said , ‘How about going to lunch in a half hour?’ She would gas up and stammer, ‘I can’t. I have clothes on the line. My hair is dirty. I wish I had known yesterday, I had a late breakfast, It looks like rain’ And my personal favorite: ‘It’s Monday.’ She died a few years ago. We never did have lunch together!”  

Because People cram so much into their lives, we tend to schedule our headaches.. We live on a sparse diet of promises we make to ourselves when all the conditions are perfect!

We’ll go back and visit the grandparents when we get our kids toilet-trained. We’ll entertain when we replace the living-room carpet. We’ll go on a second honeymoon when we get two more kids out of college.

Life has a way of accelerating as we get older. The days get shorter, and the list of promises to ourselves gets longer. One morning, we awaken, and all we have to show for our lives is a litany of ‘I’m going to,’ ‘I plan on,’ and ‘Someday, when things are settled down a bit.’

“When anyone calls my ‘seize the moment’ friend, she is open to adventure and available for trips. She keeps an open mind on new ideas. Her enthusiasm for life is contagious.. You talk with her for five minutes, and you’re ready to trade your bad feet for a pair of Roller blades and skip an elevator for a bungee cord.”

My lips have not touched ice cream in 10 years. I love ice cream. It’s just that I might as well apply it directly to my stomach with a spatula and eliminate the digestive process. The other day, I stopped the car and bought a triple-decker. If my car had hit an iceberg on the way home, I would have died happy.

NOW….go on and have a nice day. Do something you WANT to…not something on your SHOULD DO list. If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make, who would you call and what would you say? ;And why are you waiting?

Have you ever watched kids playing on a merry go round or listened to the rain lapping on the ground? Ever followed a butterfly’s erratic flight or gazed at the sun into the fading night? Do you run through each day on the fly? When you ask ‘How are you?’ Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done, do you lie in your bed with the next hundred chores running through your head? Ever told your child, ‘We’ll do it tomorrow.’ And in your haste, not see her sorrow? Ever lost touch? Let a good friendship die? Just call to say ‘Hi’?

When you worry and hurry through your day, it is like an unopened gift….Thrown away…. Life is not a race. Take it slower. Hear the music before the song is over.

‘Life may not be the party we hoped for…. but while we are here we might as well dance!’

The bottom line is we are on this earth only so much time and we owe it to ourselves to enjoy each of life’s moments.  Friends and family are what makes life special, so we should seize every moment to spend quality time with them.

I wrote and recorded a song back in 1999 called “Friends Are Friends.”  Listen to it by clicking here and then I would love to hear your feedback on its message.  May you have an awesome day!

I can’t believe it  has been 2 1/2 weeks since my last blog article.  After 5 1/2 months of writing 2-3 articles per week I think I experienced my first “burnout.”  Well I am anxious to resume writing… there are so many things happening in the world and so much to talk about!

My recent  sabbatical from writing reminded me of a really important aspect of life;  taking a break once in a while and relax a little.  Many of us get so wrapped up in what we are doing these days that we sometimes forget to enjoy life!  Well, I can’t think of a better way to recharge my batteries than some Black Ice, Chesapeake Crab, Friends and Football!

Due to the tough economy I could not afford to take  a lavish vacation (kudos to those of you able to do that!)   Instead I settled for  a 4-day weekend and here is the recap of what I did:

• From Friday until Tuesday I did not respond to any business email, or business cell phone calls.  I admit I did scan my email a few times, just because I can’t stand not knowing what is out there.
• I took a short trip from Chicago to Washington DC and Baltimore, Md.  During that trip I
  • Met a longtime Second Life friend of mine that I’ve never met Face to Face.
  • Went to AC/DC concert at the Verizon Center in DC.  It was phenomenal … check out the video clip embedded in this article from their concert opening and the pic of my SL friend and I.
    

    Tracey & I at AC/DC Concert

• Had dinner with my Twitter Friend Greg Ruby and Tracey at a fabulous restaurant in Baltimore called “Mom’s on the Half Shell.”  I recommend this restaurant for anyone visiting Baltimore, that likes Seafood.  Their Crab and artichoke dip is out of this world!
  

  Greg Ruby & I at Mom's

• Sunday – Flew back to Chicago and spent the entire day living and breathing NFL Football!  I do this anyways on any given Sunday, but it felt especially good after my quick trip to the East Coast.  My son joined me to watch the Bears game on Sunday evening.
• Monday – Best day of all, I did absolutely nothing except relax, watch movies, and enjoyed some great music.

All in all not a mind blowing vacation, but relaxing nonetheless!!

So my question to you is have you been working too hard lately? If so, take some time off…. do some things you enjoy, and your work will still be there when you return!!  If you have something special or unique that you do to take the edge off during these “rejuvenation” moments please share it with us.

My Daughter Michelle

Michael & I

Throughout my adulthood I have searched for the right formula for balancing my personal and business lives.  First and foremost I am passionate about my family, friends, loved ones and personal hobbies. (ie motorcycles, songwriting, music and sports)   I am the proud father of two wonderful adult children, Michelle (25) and Michael (24).  They are my greatest priority in life and mean everything to me.

I am also fully engaged in my 24 year career as a Meetings and Events Professional with Experient. Professional responsibility sometimes necessitates working extended hours, or weekends.  After adding 70-80 days of business travel per year, volunteerism in PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association) as the Greater Midwest Chapter President and frequent miscellaneous evening industry events to my schedule one could conclude my life is nuts!!

I am a “classic baby boomer” and was raised in a structured, disciplined environment.  My parents believed there should be a clear distinction between family/personal life and career.

From time to time I have been haunted by self guilt generated by my failing to remain consistent with my upbringing.   Reality is my life is anything but structured and I do not subscribe to a disciplined routine.

So, the question is how does a person properly balance their life?  What routine is or isn’t appropriate in today’s world?  Are these issues in your life?  Lets explore some thoughts on these questions together!

A while back I attended a PCMA Seminar addressing the issue of Life Balance, led by professional speaker, Cindy Novotny.  Cindy is the author of a must-have book entitled “Living with No Balance and Loving It.” In addition to being one of the nicest people you will ever meet, she is really a remarkable speaker, with a great sense of humor.  Cindy’s presentation was enlightening and awakened me to a “soul searching” process.  The following is what I discovered through that analysis:

• Follow Your Own Formula For Success — Don’t get distracted by other people’s opinions of your routine.  Everyone is different.  Find your own synergy for living your life and follow it with integrity.

• Listen To Your Heart — There is no better compass to guide your life than your conscience.  (Unless you are a serial killer!)  If your instincts tell you a decision is the right one, it probably is!  Recently a friend of mine shared an anonymous quote with me that hit home — “When we have done our best, we can await the results in peace.” How true is that statement?

• Own your Actions — The consequences of following your own lifestyle formula are accepting responsibility for your actions.  Its ok to make mistakes — we are all human and the best of intentions sometimes lead us down the wrong path!  Its when we make the same errors repeatedly that get  us into trouble.  (I have been there for sure)

• Don’t Worry, Be Happy! — Ever wonder why some people are cheerful all the time, whether they are working, or playing?  Well, most likely it is because they are happy with all components of their life.  If there is a piece of your life that is bringing you down, then perhaps you need to consider making some changes, or adjustments to rightsize yourself.

My question to you is what are you doing in your life experience to create balance?  Is there a technique or concept you are using to sort things out?  Please share with us!!