Embrace the now: Life’s too short to wait

Facebook memes often provide delectable food for thought. (Well, at least some of them do.) I’ve written about those idea-inducing posts before.
One that I stumbled upon earlier this month stopped me in my scrolling tracks:
“Life is short, and 2025 is uncertain. Use your nice things. Burn the pretty candles. Eat off the good china. Wear your special jewelry. Use the good items. Enjoy it all.”
In light of the devastation in the recent California wildfires, this thought becomes even more relevant. That meme – along with the New Year – has inspired me to think of other ways we can embrace the beauty of life right now, without waiting for the “perfect” occasion. It
dovetails with several of the concepts I presented in my last Journey column.

• Take the scenic route – Enjoy the adventure, not just the destination.
• Play your favorite song and sing along – Loudly, if you dare.
• Use the nice quilt – The one that makes you feel cozy and comforted. If it’s like some of mine, Grandma put hours and hours of time and love into it, and she would want you to luxuriate in it.
• Wear the special outfit – Not because someone will see you, but because it makes you feel fabulous.
• Drink the fancy coffee or tea – The kind you’re saving for guests who might not arrive.
• And speaking of guests, use the “guest towels” – Why should they have all the fun?
• Cook that recipe you’ve been eyeing – Even if it means a little extra cleanup. (Sallie Rose, are you listening?)
• Watch the sunset. Or the clouds. Or the stars. Whatever’s overhead – Let nature’s show remind you how big and beautiful the world is.
• Enjoy your favorite treat without guilt – Chocolate, anyone?
• Read the books – Dust off those books that have been sitting on your shelf and dive into new worlds.
• Wear the perfume: Don’t save your favorite scent for special occasions. Wear it whenever you want to feel good.
• Visit a new restaurant – Treat yourself to a dining experience at a place you haven’t tried before.
• Spend quality time with loved ones – Make memories with the people who matter most to you, both family and friends.
  These thoughts remind me of a scene in “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” when Kevin talks with the kind woman who befriends him in Central Park about a pair of skates he once received as a gift. He kept saving them for the “perfect” moment, but by the time he was ready, he had already outgrown them.
  Isn’t that so often the case? We hold onto things – whether they’re physical objects or opportunities – waiting for just the right time, only to find that time slipping away.
  Later, the coffee gets cold. The ice melts. Day turns to night. People move on. People grow old. We grow old.
  Maybe the lesson is to stop waiting and start using what we’ve been given, here and now. Maybe Benjamin Franklin had it right: “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.”
  Let’s not let life – or our favorite things (Julie Andrews, where are you?) pass us by. Let’s embrace the here and now. The candles, the china, the scenic routes – they’re meant to be part of our lives, not hidden away. After all, the best memories often come from the unexpected joys of living fully in the present.
  Don’t wait for a special occasion to create those moments. Today is the perfect time.