SEIZE THE DAY

A Periodic Column by Cindy Burch

For whatever reason, some people spend their life dreaming about places they would love to visit but never do, while there are others that find ways to fulfill their dreams, no matter the cost or sacrifice. Obviously there are places some of us would love to visit but just cannot afford, be it time, money, or circumstance. As a contributing writer for Living Magazine, I have the opportunity throughout the year to share with you some of my travels. I am amazed at the number of readers that tell me they have always wanted to go to a certain destination, but just haven't done it yet. My reply is always the same, “What are you waiting for?” There is so much to see and learn around the world, and so many destinations to experience. I'm not big on making New Year resolutions, but I would like to encourage you not to dream away the future. My father always said he had no desire to travel overseas, until he had seen all of America. Unfortunately, he died at the young age of 65, long before he accomplished either goal. So often we get caught up in the details of day to day living that we don't take the time to seize an opportunity. We've got deadlines and commitments, problems and priorities, distractions and obstacles, and though we really want more fulfillment from every single day, we don't often take the time we need to rest, relax, and recharge. Meredith Grey, the lead character on the hit TV show Grey's Anatomy, summed it up for some of us by saying “We have to sweep today's possibility under tomorrow's rug until we can't anymore. Until we finally understand for ourselves what Benjamin Franklin really meant. Never leave that till tomorrow, which you can do today.” My husband's father was a banker for years, and very conservative about everything. My in-law's held back from experiencing a lot of extras in life, fearing they might one day become a financial burden on their two sons. Although that is an admiral trait, we encouraged them to enjoy their lives, and quit worrying about a future they have no control over. After years of persuasion, they are now more relaxed. At sixty years old, they applied for a passport, started traveling, and even got certified in scuba diving. In the past five years they have been to Turkey, Canada, Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and the Turks and Caicos islands. Another prime example of seizing the day is my dear friend, and long time Ellis county resident, Beverly Worthington. After raising a family, and being a caregiver to her husband for years, she decided to start doing some things, that earlier in her life, she might have thought twice about. At age 70, she has gone hang gliding in Brazil, a canopy zip line tour in Costa Rica, climbed Machu Picchu in Peru, trekked with me in the underground world of Cappadocia, Turkey, and even climbed the Great Wall of China, twice. Whether your ideal vacation involves a passport, or an RV, don't just watch the Travel Channel, but visit the places you have always wanted to see, and experience the sites you have dreamed of. Benjamin Franklin shared with the world the secret of his success. It's not going to happen yesterday, and we can't put it off until tomorrow, because tomorrow may not come. It's a real challenge to face the present, because it means you can no longer say, "One of these days I'll take that Alaskan cruise, drive across the country, ski the Swiss Alps, or climb Mt. Kilimanjaro.” Seize the day and vow to make this year the beginning of some new life adventures.