This Is the Road, and These Are the Hands

I came across a thought-provoking meme this week: “The mistake we made was that we thought we had more time.”

I read it again: The mistake we made was that we thought we had more time.

Don’t we always think that if nothing else, we have more time?

I thought I had more time with my mom, but she died at 67.

I thought I had more with my dad, but he fell on ice in his driveway and ended up in a wheelchair, never quite himself again.

Clients sometimes say to me, “I thought I would be further along by now. I have wasted so much time.”

As coaches, we always talk about how we mysteriously attract clients who are facing some of the same challenges that we are. They show up serendipitously asking you to help them find their way, and at the same time, they help you find yours.

I have no idea what you are talking about, client.

Life is long, with many miles to go.

Life is a highway
I wanna ride it all night long
If you're goin' my way
Well, I wanna drive it all night long

Can’t you see this long road stretching into the distance?

Or maybe not.

I always thought I had time for more H-O-R-S-E with my son in the driveway. Or more time for watching him hunt for Easter baskets on my parents' lawn. Or time to shoot pucks on each other in his Mylec street hockey net. But before I knew it, he had left for college.

A friend of mine was on a flight recently sitting next to a man in his 50s. They got talking and she found out he was a former surgeon, no longer operating, but was instead writing. They laughed about how he has to transcribe what he journals pretty quickly after writing it down, because otherwise he can’t read his own words. He sings at his church and at various places around where he lives. He spends his days writing and singing.

Sure, he was a surgeon. He can probably afford to do that.

But if he couldn't, he could have written for 10 minutes before work. Or sang in the car.

My friend was impressed, as was I. Imagine ending such a lucrative career to do something he loves. Something you are passionate about.

People often talk about not having enough time with those we love. But what if one of the greatest missed opportunities of life is also not having enough time to do the things that bring us joy?

Make a list of five activities or things that delight you. That feed you. That inspire you.

Then give at least one of those things the gift of your time today.

It doesn't have to be days of time. Or even hours. It can be just minutes.

I can picture Music, one of the great Muses, tapping the surgeon on the shoulder. "Hello, there, friend! Are you going to come play with me today?"

And he answered that call. Amazing!

Who or what is tapping you on the shoulder? Who is asking you for time today?

Remember, it is better to have a short life doing what you love doing than a long life being miserable.

*Title and lyrics after Rascal Flatts, "Life Is a Highway".