We’re All Just One Event Away

Marriage changes everything. A wedding - no matter if it’s simple or elaborate - is a life altering event. Our lives move from being alone to being in the closest partnership known to mankind.

The birth of a child changes everything. Husbands become fathers. Wives become mothers. Together they become parents. Their lives are forever altered.

Good things - pleasant events - often change our lives. All it takes is one event and the course of our life is changed.

Unfortunately, bad things sometimes happen. A job is lost. An illness is diagnosed. An accident occurs. Death pays a visit. Lives change. Sometimes never to be the same.

Should we live in terror that at any moment a phone could ring with news that would change us forever? Hardly. That’s no way to enjoy whatever life lay ahead.

Should we live mindful that life can change - and quickly? Sure. Why not? Why not live knowing that the health we may now enjoy could soon be gone? Why not live knowing that those we love most could soon be gone from our presence? I see no downside in approaching life with the zeal or zest to make the most of today.

I’ve seen and heard many people talk about how their lives are altered by some catastrophe - perhaps an open heart surgery, a heart attack or some other challenge that they survived. Afterwards, they see life differently. They approach life differently. I’m sure that’s not true of all of them. I do know out of shape people who suffered heart attacks - and they continue to eat what they want and live without discipline or concern. Sad. But I also know some who are never the same. You see them work hard to never take a day for granted. They now see something they never saw before. Namely, the possibility that in a flash - in one moment or event - it can all change, or be gone!

I’d like to have that fresh approach to life without suffering the disaster often necessary to bring it about. I’d like to live today with a view of importance - making the most of my life today! How?

I’m fairly gifted at asking questions. The answers don’t come so easily.

Life happens. Habits take over. We carve out ruts in our lives - where we’re most comfortable. Day after day we do the same, or similar, things. We eat the same things, go the same places and do the same things. I realize we can’t make every single moment or every single day be completely unique. I know that’s hardly possible. It’s certainly isn’t practical.

But can’t we approach our lives in a meaningful way so we make better use of our time, and our opportunities to affect others? Surely.

God is the priority for many of us. That’s as it should be. Without getting into a theological debate on what serving God is all about - suffice to say, if you believe in God and believe service to the Creator supersedes all other pursuits - then you’re surely living a life that is consistent with whatever faith you hold. If you’re devout, then your faith touches all other areas of your life. A life that views the prospect of heaven and hell is bound to be a different life than one that views this life as the end all, be all.

Family is certainly a priority for most of us. We have husbands or wives that we cherish (hopefully). We have sons and daughters. We have son-in-laws or daughter-in-laws. We have grandchildren. We have parents. We have grandparents. There are people in our lives who matter to us more than other people. They’re closer to us. We’re closer to them.

Careers matter. We want to accomplish something. We want to earn what we’re worth. We want a quality of life made possible by doing the best we can where we work. It affects our life and the lives of those we love. So, we want to do the best we can by earning as much as we can - and doing meaningful work.

Recreation and entertainment matter. Often, these focus more on who we’re with than in what we’re doing, but sometimes we simply like to do certain things. It’s rare to find somebody who so enjoys an activity that he doesn’t care who he does it with though.

Our lives are complex. And complicated. It’s hard to bore it down into simple terms where we can live in simple, easy ways. Life is easier than it once was - in many ways. Many years ago men had to worry mostly about finding food to eat and shelter to protect them. Not a terribly complicated life, but a really hard life. Food, clothing and shelter aren’t much of a challenge of most of us. We’ve got those things - often nice things. Really nice.

One event changes it though. One circumstance can alter it all. Imagine the things that could happen to you right now that would forever change your life. Imagine the good things. And the bad ones. Meditate on it for awhile.

Now, ask yourself, “How should I approach life now - now that I know these things could happen?” Are there things you should do that will help propel you forward, toward those good things? Then why are you waiting? Are there things you should do that might help you avoid those bad things? Then why are you waiting? Get busy with it. Today.

Make the phone call.
Have the conversation.
Hug them. Kiss them. Tell them you love them.
Forgive them. Ask them to forgive you.
Spruce up the resume. Look for the better job.
Go to the gym. Get fit.
Eat better. Eat right.

Whatever is necessary to make today your best day possible - do it. Do it as though today may be your only chance. Because you never know.