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A few days back, I met an old acquaintance of mine after a long time. He was a sports enthusiast and during the course of our conversation he mentioned about an experience when his raft had overturned while negotiating a dangerous rapid in a mountain river and all occupants were thrown into the turbulent water. While others managed to get safety, he was carried away by the strong currents to some distance before he could get hold of a rock protruding in the middle of the river and hung on to it for nearly 30 minutes before he could be rescued.
When asked what was going through his mind for those 30 minutes that he hung on the rock for life, and he thought death was staring in his face, he said the first response was a desperate appeal to God to come to his aid and save him, but as he spent more time hanging on to the rock the past 30 years of his life flashed through his mind. His dreams, what all he had thought to accomplish/ do in life, condition of his ailing wife who required his support, his kids, the under- construction house, everything went through his mind. He had so many unaccomplished tasks/ dreams which he had been delaying for one reason or the other. He prayed to God to save him as he was just 30 and had so much left to do in life. After his safe return from that journey his complete focus in life was on completing the tasks he had set for himself, achieving his dreams. He had seen death from close quarters and realised the worth of life and more importantly he had realised the true meaning of ‘Living’ life, living dreams.
Hearing his story, I was reminded of a song sung by Doris Day (written by Carl Sigman/ Herbert Magidson) way back in 1950.
Enjoy yourself while you’re still in the pink
Enjoy yourself, enjoy yourself
It’s later than you think.
You work and work for years and years
You’re always on the go
Never take a minute off
To busy makin’ dough
Someday, you say, you’ll have your fun
When you’re a millionaire
Imagine all the fun you’ll have
In your old rockin’ chair
Enjoy yourself it’s later than you think
Enjoy yourself while you’re still in the pink
The years go by as quickly as a wink
Enjoy yourself, enjoy yourself
It’s later than you think.
(Enjoy yourself, enjoy yourself it’s later than you think)
Your heart of hearts, your dream of dreams
Your ravishing brunettes
Has left you now and she’s become
Somebody else’s pet (pity isn’t it)
Lay down that gun, don’t try my friend
To reach the great beyond
You’ll have more fun by reaching
For a red-head or a blonde
Enjoy yourself it’s later than you think
Enjoy yourself while you’re still in the pink
The years go by as quickly as a wink
Enjoy yourself, enjoy yourself
It’s later than you think.
(Enjoy yourself, enjoy yourself it’s later than you think)
There’s another thing I want to tell you too.
You love somebody very much
You’d like to set the date
But money doesn’t grow on trees
So you decide to wait (Foolish Fellow)
You’re so afraid that you will bite off
More than you can chew
Don’t be afraid, you won’t have teeth
When you reach ninety-two.
Enjoy yourself it’s later than you think
Enjoy yourself while you’re still in the pink
The years go by as quickly as a wink
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy yourself
It’s later than you think.
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy yourself it’s later than you think…
Each and every word of this song is so relevant even today and I think will remain relevant forever. This is exactly what life is all about, we keep delaying things constantly changing our goal posts as long as the going is smooth, when suddenly an accident throws life out of gear and we are left regretting what all we have left unfinished. We carry the worries of our securing our future too far and miss out on living and enjoying the present. Why should it take a negative event to make us consider doing something good? Why should we wait for a dark moment to happen in life to show us the light? Life is so unpredictable, earlier we realise it is the better. Make your list, set your priorities and work to achieve your goals/ live your dreams.
Life is all about choices we make. Whatever we do/ achieve is the result of the choices we make. Do not keep waiting for the right moment to start/ do something. Every moment is right, just have the will to make it your own. One doesn’t have to throw caution to winds but certain amount of risk has to be taken to achieve something new. “Do not plunge blindly, but when the only escape route is the river in spate, just jump into it, there are high chances of you reaching the bank”.
Identify your purpose in life and follow it with passion. Time doesn’t wait for anyone/ anything.
“Enjoy yourself it’s later than you think
Enjoy yourself while you’re still in the pink
The years go by as quickly as a wink
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy yourself
It’s later than you think.
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy yourself it’s later than you think…”
If there’s something I always keep in mind, it is “time waits for non one”. Life is so fast and unpredictable. All we have is right now. Great post!
Thank you friend for visiting my blog and leaving your precious thoughts..
Stay blessed..
“…live in the now…” I love this.
Thank you…God bless you
Now is present.. gift… I wish to live my life the best and with full of passion.. great post you hv written..
Thank you put Kylie..
God bless you
Powerful message. I love the way you’ve included song lyrics and poetry too. Lovely post.
Thank you..
God bless you
So lively ♥
Loved it.
Keep sharing your thoughts and motivating others.
Thank you Jyoti.
God bless you
Great article and I loved the story! I feel like my life started at 30 and I am going to spend the rest of it making the most out of it.
Thank you Sally .
God bless you
Yyyeeeesssssssss…let’s do just that, Krish!!!
Thank you..
You’re welcome! 😊❤️🤗✊🏼
Life is unpredictable so l have learn to enjoy my life to the fullest.l don’t take any moment for granted and everyone l meet in my journey of life ,l believe it’s not by accident and always leave an impact. Great post and very well written.Love it.Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank.you.
God bless you
I am a firm believer in ceasing the moment. Do not wait for the right time, do not save beautiful items for special occasions. If you do you will miss out on the best part of life, the everyday stuff! Great article thank you for sharing!
Thank you..
God bless you
I so agree! You should live in the now and live your dreams. Life is short! You shouldn’t stay unhappy.
Yes.
Thank you Amber..
God bless you
What a great message to send to people. Really enjoyed reading this!
Thank you Stephanie..
God bless you
#YOLO! I agree that we have to make the most out of our lives while we’re still able to live it. Because it can be taken away with just a blink of an eye. In the same way, we should treasure the people around us because we never know until when they are around.
Yes.
Thank you.
God bless you
What a lovely and meaningful article! Absolutely love it.
Thank you Devyani..
God bless you
It is so important to not delay things that you really want to do. Any one of us could be taken in an instant, and I know that I don’t want to have regrets when I go. My husband and I are currently working on achieving some of our goals.
That’s good Kristen..
Thank you..
God bless you
I totally think we need to try and live in there here and now and look after ourselves and do what we want to do.
Yes..
Thank you Sarah..
God bless you
Beautiful post!! I often have to remind myself to live in the now. I look at my kids pictures sometimes and can’t believe how fast they grow and i always tell myself, play with them now, enjoy them now, dishes can wait for later. These moments are precious!!
you are so right, this is exactly how life goes, I saw a slogan some time ago “Don’t get so busy making a living you forget to have a life” I am in the medical field and life and work are at times overwhelming
I love this! I feel like we need to live and love and enjoy with the time we have! We never know when it will end, so live and love like every day is the last.
Great post!
Thank you Nancy..
Enjoying every day as if it was the last is the best way to live! You just never know what tomorrow will bring so you have to enjoy every moment given.
I truly think people don’t appreciate what they have until they are going to lose it. Then they start realizing how short of a time they have and they make the most of it. It’s tough to do that all the time though. You really have to force yourself to take a step back and rethink it.
May from http://www.lavieenmay.com
Thank you May..
God bless you
Amazing story about your friend. How true this post is! I love the last part to follow your passions because time doesn’t wait. I am currently following my dream of writing and touching people through my blog. Thank you for this encouraging post to keep at it and not delay at any of my other goals as well.
Thank you..
Stay blessed..
Amazing story of your friend. I totally agree one should live in the present rather than crying about past or worrying about future. Very motivating post.
Thank you Monidipa..
God bless you
I think we often take time for granted. We always assume there will be more time. It’s ok to be prepared but we only are guaranteed right now.
Yes..
Thank you Stephanie..
God bless you
What a beautiful message
Thank you Betzy
God bless you
This is a great reminder to live life to the fullest. There are many things to do with the little time we have so we need to set up priorities and goals but we still need to enjoy every moment we have.
Yes…thank you Ruth..
God bless you
I agree. I’m trying to enjoy every moment of my life more and not worry too much about the future.
Thank you for appreciating..
God bless you
What an experience for your friend! I’ve also had a nearly life-ending event way back in 1985. Life is precious and you never know when you could be faced with making a life or death decision, or when a family member or friend encounters a life-threatening illness. You have to be grateful for every day you have.
Again emphasizing on the fact that Live now and stop thinking and just doing. fact of life..
Yes.
Thank you
This is such a lovely post. This is a great reminder to live life to the fullest. Very motivating post.