"Nothing must be postponed. Take time by the forelock. Now or Never! You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment...Take another course and life will be a succession of regrets." Henry Thoreau Journal, April 24, 1859.
Good wishes and loving deeds must never be postponed, they should be inhaled in the present if received and sent freely, if the opportunity presents itself to warm the hearts of others.
Many years ago my loving, but Germanic, mother-in-law came to Colorado to visit. My oldest daughter was about 8 or 9 years old at the time, and before she launched herself into bed she ran to Nana to get a kiss. Nana's answer, "Oh no, dear. You've had yours." Earlier she had kissed them goodnight and, due to their dawdling, I guess they didn't have a right to another kiss. Nana meant no harm. In her heart she loved the children very much; it was just her mindset, her rigidity, her conformity to a personal set of norms that held her captive to a code of conduct.
I wish I could say I have been one to always jump at the opportune moment to wish someone success or health and to show kindness where it is wanted and needed. I wish I had never let a set of rules and norms pen me into my narrow thinking. Alas! I am so good at telling and knowing what should be done, but so negligent in the doing. And it follows; life can then be a series of regrets.
So, on this eve of the eve of our designated New Year, 2012, I want to wish all my friends and family the brightest New Year wishes anyone can imagine. "Let nothing be postponed. Now or never! You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment. Fools stand on their island opportunities and look toward another land. There is no other land; there is no other life but this, or the like of this."
Happy Day, happy New Year!!
