Today!

 

Possibly my favorite all time song is “Today”. It is a folk song made famous by John Denver—though it was written by Randy Sparks of the New Christy Minstrels. In 1964 it became a hit.

Easily sung, this song has a simple message: that this day—today—is to be our joy and our focus. Its repeated refrain, “ a million tomorrows will all pass away, ‘ere I forget all the joys that are mine today,” is a line that needs remembering. Let the problems of the past not rob us of our ability to experience the joy of a new day.

It is often difficult to remain focused on today, as fears, hopes and aspirations compete for attention. Things need to be planned for. Problems need to be processed. These take time.

We live in a society where it is very hard to relax and “live in the moment”. The fast paced world of jobs, technology and obligations leave little time for reflection and contentment.

What if others complain? What if they “get ahead” in life, or at work?

Comparing ourselves to others seems to be our curse, for there is always someone who “has it all together”; who is farther along in their career or family life. We are taught to “be all that we can be”—as an old Army commercial implored. More is always needed. More is just ahead. It is our destiny.

We are afraid to let go. Afraid that, if we do then nothing will get done. Others will be disappointed. We may even end up as a bum—with no friends, no home and no purpose.  That will never do.

So we worry and fret. Paralyzed with anxiety we seek only to endure the day. Escaping to the warm glow of the computer screen, we play our games, and try to forget.

Yet peace eludes.

But the song interrupts;  “Today is my glory. . . I’ll laugh, and I’ll cry and I’ll sing.”

With that revelation we can live. The future is coming. The past is gone. All we have is “now”.

It is enough.

 

Someone is better

Life teaches lessons we may not want to hear.  To discover that someone is better, for a competitive person, is difficult to grasp. This seems especially true when the other person seems to be getting all the luck.

I like to think of myself as an easy going person. I know that I am not that good at mechanical tasks, like fixing the car, or other typical “guy” jobs. I know that I at a loss when I need to do basic home repairs.

This does not bother me, for I have rationalized that my gifts are different. I see myself as a scientist, theologian, and artist. I enjoy studying the world, and, using my creativity, to write about it, often from a spiritual vantage point. I like to follow Descartes advice, “ I think therefore, I am”. Thinking and writing about faith and culture is what I do.

So, when I see a blog or a webpage where someone is doing that, I admit that I get anxious. Sometimes when I hear someone on television talking about such topics, I wish that I could do that.

But I do not know how to get known. Often it seems that I can write and post ideas on my blog, and make cogent comments on social media threads, to no avail.

I try to be patient—and persistent believing that if I continue along this path, someday life will change.  But, then I hear someone talk about a topic that I feel passionately about!

I wonder was there something that they did that got them on the air, or on a successful webpage. Some have written books. That, I can understand for it seems natural: you write a book and, if its good, people will read it and then want you to discuss it.

But others have not achieved that fame. Instead they went to a top school like Harvard or Yale. Others seem to get to those positions because they knew someone. I know that this is the reality, and that those people have the right to do what they did.

But it bothers me. I can do what they are doing. But they had all the breaks.

I begin to get jealous, then sometimes, I go into despair. “After all”, I say, “I will not be able to have those connections.”

I must let these feelings go. Someone may be better than me. I need to allow that to be ok.

I have always liked to be different. I have quirks and a unique point of view. But, what if I am not unique enough?

What if that person does a better job at getting their message across?

I have to come to peace with that. I need to do what I do—and not worry what the outcome will be. If I no one ever reads my posts or likes my ideas . . . if I can never make a career from writing, then what. . . .

I do not know. It will be hard. But, I must allow someone else to be better—at least at this stage.

I think therefore, I am. . so I must continue, come what may.