Mike and I had a date night last week, and it was absolutely divine! We dressed fancy (one of my favorite things to do), had a drink at the martini bar; and then made our way to the local playhouse to see Our Town.
We had no idea what the play was about, but we haven’t missed a production this past year, so away we went.
The play is set in the early 1900s, and it’s three acts are each a day in the life of the town occupants, a few years apart. Honestly, nothing significant happens. It’s just every day life. Moms cook the meals and do laundry, dads go to work, the children go to school.
Until the last act… One of the characters passes away, and the act is through their perspective, watching the living go about their daily activities. The others that are also deceased beg the person not to go back and visit the living, telling them how disappointed they will be, how much it will hurt, but curiosity is too strong.
The pain was palpable as the deceased watched the living talk to people, not with them. As they worked around each other, exacerbated by the inconvenience, disruption and distraction. “Why won’t you look at me?!” The character wailed. “Why won’t you see me, see me as I am!”
I also cried during the last act. Not just because of the guilt of not being present, no. I waded in the shame of wasting so many minutes, so many days, not doing the most I could. I imagined our own deceased watching us in despair, observing us, crying out to us, “Why won’t you live?!”
How often do we get annoyed at phone calls from friends wanting to chat, or family in the way as we’re trying to clean? How often do we “mmhmm” and “okay, dear” and “huh?” those that are nearest us? I know I am guilty, far too often, of not seeing those around me. I’ll have my phone in my hand, preoccupied with Facebook or reading an article. I’ll shush the kids as I try and listen to an audiobook while cleaning.
Why won’t we live, indeed, friends. Why don’t we wake up and LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST? Why don’t we use every waking moment we have to accomplish the most we can, to be as intentional as possible with every second we’ve been given?
Today is a gift. It’s a gift that some don’t have any more. What are you going to do with today? Are you going to leave it wrapped up with it’s pretty bow, untouched? Or are you going to dive in and use every ounce of life you have been given today? We all have the same choices to make, friends. We can choose to pour our strengths and talents into the tasks around us, or we can choose to leave these gifts unopened. All of us, from our local checker at the grocery store to billionaires on Wall Street have the same twenty four hours today . How will you spend yours?
I challenge you to put away distractions, and go be present with the people you love. Let us work on our attention, and live our life to its fullest potential. Because today is a gift so look and see and be with the people you love. Today, use your gift to the fullest ❤️
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Great post 😁