A few nights ago I was chatting with someone I haven’t talked to in a while and we talked about my journey over the last number of years. In the course of the conversation we talked about what it’s like to live with depression, and he asked, “So, how’s life for you these days?”
I thought for a while, not sure how to respond. Eventually I said, “I have learned to live one day at a time. Some days are better than others. There are days when everything seems bright, and hopeful, and joyous, and I feel like I am soaring with wings like an eagle. There are days when things seem dark, and hopeless and I struggle to find my smile, and I feel like I am just trying to walk and not faint. But I have learned that’s okay, because that’s life. Most days I hit the pillow knowing that I have not been as good as I could have been, and I close my eyes hoping that tomorrow will be a better day than today.”
It was then that I realize the last few years have taught me an important lesson about life. Life is lived today. Life ls lived one day at a time, one moment at a time. Rather than getting caught up in drafting 10 year visions and 5 year plans, I am simply learning to live moment by moment: Waking up this morning, feeling the warmth of the morning sun on my bed, tying pig tails for my little girl as I dropped her off at daycare, sending a text message to my wife tell her I love her, sharing a laugh over lunch with my friends at work, sitting down by my little girl’s bedside, just watching her sleep, enjoying the peace of being alone late at night, writing down my thoughts…
Here’s to enjoying the moments of our everyday lives. And thanks for sharing your moment with me, reading this. 
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Alfred,
I do agree that we should take one day at a time. But I think it is important to have a vision and to set goals for yourself.
It is important to have a vision and have goals otherwise you might find yourself not achieving anything and not being productive and growing.
I think we need to have a good balance between enjoying life and thinking ahead.
Hi Joshua! Thank you for reading and commenting! I absolutely agree with you…I don’t think those 2 things are mutually exclusive. I think you need a balance of both. I think for myself, I have a tendency of living either in the past tense or in the future tense, rather than simply being “here” in the present moment. Thanks again for your comments!!
I hope tonight when you hit the pillow, instead of thinking you could’ve done more, think of the good things that did happen, and that tomorrow is another day to carry on the torch.
Alfred, perhaps I don’t know you as well as I should after all these years, but one think I do know is that you are a good, decent human being, flaws and all.
bella
Hey Alfred
Long time no talk, but once again, thanks for sharing your post. You’ve changed your header! It’s great – I love the headliner: “to inspire readers to become better ppl”. I always am inspired after reading your posts b/c they’re always very insightful and reflective.
Thanks again for sharing. Going to enjoy the rest of my day (except I’m cleaning, :S) haha.
Thanks Joe-ie for reading!! Now go and enjoy the rest of your day…hopefully even the cleaning part will be enjoyable hehe!