Life a tight rope, not a timeline

Someday.

It’s a promise we all make ourselves. We’ll do it Someday.

Moving forward with that special person into a more relationship. Sure, that’s coming up Someday.

The trip to Europe. Or to an exotic beach. Yeah, I’ll do that Someday.

Moving to another part of the country? Someday.

Writing a book, learning a new craft or hobby, cooking some new and exciting recipes we’ve been wanting to try are all things we’re sure we’re going to do Someday.

It’s our bucket list. All those things we plan to do, WANT to do.

But often our promises of what we’re going to do in the future isn’t as big or exciting as a trip around the world.

Sometimes it’s as simple as repairing a broken relationship or friendship. Telling that certain person that we love them and how much they mean to us.

We fall into the trap of thinking that we have time to do all of the things we want to do. We think we’re walking on a metaphorical timeline. It started when we were born, and it stretches, it seems almost endlessly, into a foggy future where we can’t see the ending spot. But certainly it doesn’t end anytime soon.

But life isn’t a timeline.

Instead, it’s a tight rope. A tight rope stretched over what appears to be a bottomless chasm.

Looking ahead, we can only see a few feet before the fog obscures what lies ahead. If we chance a look behind us, we risk losing our balance in life and and become frozen in the fear of moving ahead into the unknow.

We never know what perils lie ahead, but we know there are threats all around.

A strong wind of cancer or another disease can knock us off our rope at any time.

The line shakes, representing a car accident, a fall down a set of stairs, or an unexpected case of just being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Of, as what happens to many of us, the weariness of age catching up with us as we’ve been on our journey for so long that our body simply gives up and we tumble into the abyss, as friends and family cite our age as the reason for our death.

Yes, it looks like a timeline. But the time started before us, and it will continue long after we’re gone.

We look ahead into that unknown, not sure we what’s we have to balance on the days, and weeks and years ahead. It’s easy to stop, frozen with fear.

It’s a natural reaction. We all know someone, a friend or family member, who has fallen from their journey at a young age. Or, more heartbreaking, someone who decides not to continue, and jumps off the rope through their own decision.

Stopping from fear, however, is even worse than what might lie ahead. When we stop on our tightrope, we don’t see where our journey can take us, what obstacles we have to overcome to continue our journey.

As we continue on, we learn through each step the balance that we need to continue. For us, that means the balance of family set against the everyday stresses of life; healthy meals and exercise to help us maintain our journey.

Perhaps most of all, it’s finding those pleasures in life, both big and small, that help rejuvenate us and give us the strength and willpower to continue.

Don’t wait to do the things that are most important to you. Pursuing a dream you’ve always wanted.

Tell that family member or special friend how much you love them or how much they mean to you.

Kids need our love and support everyday so that they too will gain the courage and strength to continue on.

Most of all, be good to yourself. Like the instructions on an airplane, put on your oxygen mask first. We’ve got to take care of ourselves first before we can help others maintain their balance without falling.

Sometimes we do lose our balance and tumble, but we’re able to hold on to our tight rope with one hand, maybe a single finger. However, with the strength and persistence we’ve developed, we can pull ourselves back up and continue on.

Continue on as far as you can for as long as you can, maintaining your balance and enjoy each and every step of the journey.