A New Philosophy: Words to Live By

 

by Craig Willms

I was sitting on the deck with my wife and some dear friends when I said something that sparked a thought, a profound thought. We were talking about how awful it is to get old. We are all in our sixties now, and only one of us is still working a day job. All of us were lamenting our inability to get a good night's sleep on a regular basis. Then there were all our aches and pains not to mention the physical clumsiness that increments day by day. It's hardly inspiring. It's only downhill from here. My wife sighed and said my goal is to get through to next Christmas when I can retire, then I'll make some plans. I said, "my goal is to get through tomorrow." I said, "Now, those are word to live by"!

My friend immediately said his goal was to get through today. I said no, no, no you got have a something to strive for. It then struck me that I might be on to some new philosophic approach to life. Getting through the day is pretty weak, because you're already halfway there. To set a goal of getting through tomorrow transcends the immediate and gives you something tangible to reach for. At our age tomorrow isn't too far out and therefore it's clearly obtainable. 

We are at the age when even a one-year plan is dicey, let alone a five-year plan. Setting goals is good, but we need to be realistic. In all seriousness by setting a goal of seeing tomorrow's bedtime instead of some too distant future we force ourselves to live for today, be present in the now, rather than constantly dreaming of someday. Face it, our time is numbered in months or years, not decades, not anymore. Living for today is not just laudable, it's also the right thing to do!

From this day forward that's the code, the philosophy I'll live by. So, from now on when someone asks, "what's your plan?" My answer will be, "my goal is to get through tomorrow." Everything else will fall into place (in one way or another).

PS

Talk is talk, right? I above anyone should not be giving advice on living, especially living in the moment. Doing something like that for a lazy person is quite difficult. I'm a daydreamer at best. So, in order for this new philosophy to stick I've got to live it, breath it and abide in the spirit of the words. So, this, the 31st of August in the year 2025 I start to live in the moment and plan for tomorrow... Everyday!