Now

By Kristi Paxton

June 15, Nic Wallenda walked a tightrope suspended across the widest part of Niagara Falls. An historic moment. Each step he understood the concept of Now.

The biggest trouble of our times is that we are never where we are,” said a writer friend a while back. For a moment I wondered what he meant. Then I regretted eating the entire container of *salted caramel gelato, simultaneously dreading the dirty house I must clean…soon. I understood his comment.

We are masters at regret—thinking about the past, the splurge, the nasty comment. Another writer friend recently landed on the Dr. Phil show with his wildly popular book titled “Secret Regrets.” Out of several blogs Kevin Hansen launched, Secret Regrets was the one that touched a collective nerve. We all think back to what we should not have done. Think back.

And, we are excellent at planning our futures. To the right of this keyboard is a pile of lists, (I just thumbed through and counted nine ratty pages) tasks I want to complete, books I want to read, blogs I want to visit or create in the future. Many of my listed items are outdated events now, unaccomplished goals. Perhaps I should make another list: stuff I did not accomplish. Most of my future plans can now go into my heaping pile of regrets.

But am I good at embracing The Now? Not so much, but I’m getting better. After a recent trip to the honking chaos of New York City, my husband and I enjoyed the pastoral drive from airport to front door. We parked the car at the end of our lane, got out and paused to breathe Iowa air. Suitcase in hand, I said to my husband, “Look at that butterfly, how he’s spread flat on the leaf!” He was as if mounted in a collection. We both dropped our bags, he digging for a camera, I powering up my cell phone. For 15 minutes, the butterfly waited while we enjoyed his stillness and snapped his portrait. Obviously the winged creature was dead. But no. As soon as we put the cameras away, he fluttered up and away.

When asked what he thought about as he walked across Niagara Falls, Nic Wallenda said, “a lot of praying, that’s for sure.”

*Note: Salted Caramel Gelato; Talenti Brand; Hy-Vee; expensive. And you’re welcome.

Say it Now

By Helen Knueven

While I was doing some major organization in my office, I ran across an unmailed card.  It was addressed to my sister eight years ago.  Way too late to mail since she passed away about seven years ago.

“How did I luck out and get you for such a great sister and friend?  Thanks so much for listening to me the other day! Thanks for being you – that’s all you need to be!”

Tears welled up in me as I realized I never really said this to her. I hope that she knew while she was here how special she was to me! 

Why do I find it a huge challenge to have before me all at the same time: a card, a pen, an updated address book and a stamp?

Hours later as I was still organizing I found another card meant to be mailed to my mother-in-law.  I remembered how I spent hours wording and rewording it.  And here it lay unopened and unmailed!

Part of the card said, “After 40 years of marriage – you and Dad still light up the room!  Thanks for showing me what it means to ‘share your love’ with others.  You sure do! We are so lucky!”

It was just another Hallmark card that never fulfilled it’s purpose!  Mom has also passed away and I had not communicated my heart feelings to her.

I guess I would like to communicate one thing now while I have the chance: If it’s worth saying, say it now!

I have to believe that we say things with our lives that are never verbalized and are still felt.  But is there someone you appreciate far more than they realize?  Let them know in some way while you have the chance.  Maybe it’s a good friend that listens to you at critical times.   You won’t regret it and they won’t forget it.

The truth is most people hear more discouraging words than they do encouraging ones.  Even so, the power of one encouraging word is so impacting.

If you think I’m exaggerating, think back.  Can you remember an encouraging word someone said to you years ago?  Opportunites are time-sensitive, but when we take advantage of them, they can have lasting effects.