“Don’t wish your life away.”
87 days until Christmas!
I don’t know when I stopped, but I’m not in the habit of wishing time away anymore.
Do I look forward to holidays and vacations? You bet. Do I find myself dreaming about what it’ll be like to meet my baby girl? Absolutely.
So what’s different now?
I actually enjoy the waiting. I find myself embracing the days leading up to life’s big moments. Now half of the fun is the anticipation.
What will we spend our days doing while vacationing at the beach next summer? What surprise does my husband have planned this year for Christmas morning? What friends will I get to see and catch up with at my upcoming baby shower?
In the days leading up to any big event, I let my mind wander to that day. I imagine the conversations we’ll have as we walk along the beach. The perfect gift from my husband that I’ll unwrap Christmas morning. The way my little girl’s cry will sound. The look on my husband’s face when he holds her for the first time.
For me, dreaming about these things - waiting in anticipation - is one of life’s simplest pleasures. It helps me embrace the big days – the memory makers – when they finally do arrive. I soak in each moment so when I look back, my memories are just as vivid as the images I envisioned while looking ahead.
Some things about growing up just plain stink. I think this thing…this letting yourself enjoy each hour of each day instead of wishing away the ordinary ones…I think it’s a great part of growing up.
“So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 8:15
None of us know how many hours we have left…I’m going to make this next hour a good one! How about you?
