You Really Have to Live

How many times have you said, “One day”?

One day I’ll travel there.

One day I’ll take up that hobby.

One day I’ll write the book.

One day I’ll ride that bike.

One day I’ll make more time for the people I love.

One day…

The problem with “one day” is that it can become a very comfortable place to park our dreams. Life gets busy. There are children to raise, careers to build, bills to pay, parents to care for and unexpected circumstances that can completely change the direction we thought our lives were taking. And sometimes, quite understandably, what we want gets pushed to the back burner.

We tell ourselves we’ll get to it eventually.

But eventually isn't a date on the calendar.

I think one of the greatest lessons life can teach us is that you really have to live. Because today is the only day you are guaranteed, we can’t change yesterday and tomorrow isn’t a given.

By live a mean not just exist. Not just get through the week. Not just keep ticking things off the never-ending list of responsibilities.

Live.

That doesn't mean you have to quit your job tomorrow, sell your house and travel the world. It might simply mean making space for something that makes your heart come alive.

It might mean picking up the paintbrush you haven't touched in years.

Calling the friend you've been meaning to call.

Booking the trip.

Learning something new.

Getting back on the bike.

Writing the first page.

Saying yes to an opportunity that scares you.

Or perhaps finally admitting to yourself that there is something you've always wanted to do and asking, “Why am I still waiting?”

I've learned that life doesn't always follow the plan we make for it. There will be circumstances we don't choose and challenges we never expected.

But amongst all of that, we still have a choice. We can keep putting our lives on hold, waiting for the “perfect” time. Or we can find a way to live within the life we have.

Because there may never be a perfect time.

There will always be something else that needs doing. Someone who needs us. Another responsibility waiting around the corner.

And that's okay.

But don't let being there for everyone else mean that you stop being there for yourself. Your dreams don't have an expiry date simply because life got in the way.

Maybe you can't do exactly what you once imagined.

Maybe the dream needs to change.

Maybe the timing is different.

Maybe you have to take a smaller step than you thought.

But take the step. Because I don't think we're meant to spend our lives waiting for life to begin.

You really have to live.

And perhaps today is the day to stop saying “one day” and start asking: “What can I do today to make my life a little more like the life I want to live?”

It doesn't have to be a giant leap.

Just start.

Your life is happening now.