A Toast to Innocence, A Toast to Now!

“What do you want to be when you grow up?”  As children all of us dreamed of becoming a person who would make a difference, someone who contributed enduring worth and value, to the whole of humanity, though most often we phrased those dreams with; “I want to be a doctor,” “I want to be a fireman,” etc.

Then we actually grow up! We awaken one morning and realize that the life we are living has no resemblance to the one we had dreamed of all those years ago.

How did this happen?  How did we end up here?  I don’t mean to say “Here,” is necessarily a dreadful place, in fact, some are happy with the way their life has turned out. These auspicious few find themselves living a more fulfilled existence than any childhood reveries ever could have been.  But what about those whose soul continues to encase embers of unfulfilled possibilities, missed opportunities, and what might have been.

Where do they go from here?  Its obvious one can’t pack up and return to an earlier era no matter how tempting that may be at times.  Nor is it healthy to be pre-occupied with self pity, when navigating this life requires ones full attention.  Here are 5 suggestions…

1.        Say good bye to those things which will never be recaptured.  Then let them go.

2.       Don’t underestimate the imprint your life has already left on another.

3.       Determine which of your dreams can still be attained then work to make them happen. It’s not too late. 

4.       Realize the future offers many exciting and meaningful opportunities for you to leave a legacy.

5.       Keep this in mind; “It’s not how you start, its how you finish!