I don’t know about you, but looking out over an eternity fountain is one of the most relaxing places to be.  The endless view of the water takes one to another place where the world around them seems to get much smaller.

          I hear the phrase often, ‘if I knew then what I know now’ from people my age who wish they could go back in time and have the wisdom to make decisions differently.  Then, there’s the other version, ‘if only I didn’t know now what I didn’t know then,’ for those who wish they didn’t have to remember past hurts or poor choices.

          Young people, like every generation, tend to feel like they have their ‘whole life’ ahead of them; even into their 30’s.  Yet, they spend so much time thinking about what they'll do 'one day'.  When does that light turn on in our minds that says, ‘hey, I’m already xyz year’s old and I haven’t done any of the things I thought I would?’

          In reality, life is short, and time moves faster than we perceive.  One only must look at how our mind responds to activity to see how time flies or time goes slow.  On my slow days, the emails trickle in and I’m all caught up on my tasks.  On the days when time seems to fly, it’s when I’m slammed with tasks and have deadlines.  Funny how that works isn’t it?

          The same is true when we’re consumed with our lives, our daily schedule, and just getting through it so we can get up and do it all over again.  If I had one piece of advice to give young people, it would be to take one day at a time. 

Jesus said it Himself when He said, ‘Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own’ (Matt 6:34).  Not that we shouldn’t plan for the future, but that we need not concern ourselves so much about it.   I would also contend the same could be said about focusing too much on the past.

My grandmother used to say, ‘Brad, remember to stop and smell the roses’.  As a kid, I didn’t really get that at the time.  I just thought she was saying to enjoy roses! (I am blonde mind you...).   Now that I’m older, I truly get it (finally). 

Getting past all the fears of the future and regrets of the past is a huge hurdle for some of us.  If we can do it and take time to stop and enjoy a moment of serenity, it will not only change our mood at the time but will be a great step toward a healthy mind & soul.

 I want to encourage you to take a moment today, tomorrow, or this week to stop and smell those roses.  It may be while looking out over an eternity fountain and it may be while walking to the car in the morning. 

Stop and take a moment to give thanks for the good things in your life and not focus on the things you wish you could change, the regrets of the past, or the fears of the future.  That is what grandma meant.  She meant to stop, appreciate, and focus on the good things you have in your life today, and that was great advice.   Thank you, grandma!

Love always,

Brad