January 13 2025
December came and went with relatively little fanfare.
In an odd way, there was a lot going on, but nothing that carried with it a message worthy of sharing.
I kept waiting for a prophetic moment, or an ‘ah-ha’ message from the heavens that would prove to be inspirational. Nada.
Then, sadly, an apocalyptic event took place that pierced the hearts of everyone I know. A state that holds so many beautiful memories, went up in flames in the blink of an eye.
The numbness and the disbelief takes time to absorb but the message is very clear.
Today is all that matters. Today is all you have. And if you are blessed to wake up tomorrow with everything you closed your eyes to, the night before…it is a gift.
Watching people flee their homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs is a reality wake up call to what really matters, and what doesn’t. Watching people struggle to make contact with loved ones, while everything they own is engulfed in flames reminds us that our loved ones matter, and perhaps we should be mindful of checking in with them more often.
Watching people desperate to return to the destruction of their homes in the hopes of finding any remnant of a memory held within the charred remains is a reminder that a seemingly insignificant memento to others, is the most treasured to yet someone else.
People aren't rushing back into a fire zone in an attempt to retrieve their Porsche, they are searching for pictures, letters, or a handprinted tile made by one of their children.
The real tragedy with events like this is, three of four years from now, this harsh lesson will be forgotten. People will return to their list of priorities, and the Porsche will once again become an important acquisition.
The very few people who truly absorb and learn from these tragedies will make a concerted effort to gather the belongings that truly matter, and secure them. They will create a budget for a family vacation rather than extravagant clothes and cars. They will donate time to the less fortunate and make a heartfelt effort to help someone in need.
Humanity is on full display during a crisis. The good and the bad, the beautiful and the ugly. In a moment of pure love, a man will rush into a blazing fire to save his beloved pet. In the very next moment, a man with a soulless heart will be caught looting the home of another families loss, hoping to selfishly profit for himself.
The finger pointing and shaming of those who are to blame is inevitable.
The government, the self absorbed residents, the overpopulation of unsavory residents, the unaccountability of tax payers hard earned money. Whatever it is, ultimately doesn’t matter if there is no accountability and no change.
If the same disaster or the same problem continues to exist or repeat itself, then the devastating event served no value. It is merely an inconvenience that people navigate around as quickly as possible, to return to the life they lived before.
The tragedy isn't the loss of a home, or the expensive cars that were in the driveway. The tragedy, is that people don’t seem to learn from it.
You have today.
Call your best friend.
Plan a family dinner.
Surprise your pet with a special toy, and roll around on the floor with them until the simply joy of that moment fills your heart with love.
Stop and talk to the homeless man on the street corner where you always see him sitting, and ask him about his day.
Soak in the gift of every moment you are given, and live in that moment. Just that moment.
Because that moment is all you have.
But that’s just my opinion. :)
