Just Another Day

 

Let’s dance together as time continues to roll along. 

 

I have been dancing to this one for decades. It takes me back to when going through just another day was when I felt light on my feet, could come and go with a bit more ease and life was bright. 

 

The song in my head comes from Oingo Boingo with a drum roll to get things started and then the steady beat. 

 

What can happen next as the strumming and singing continues?

 

Turns out that a few things happened to me that have kept this tune going over the years. 

 

This part comes with the first words that I have thought about. 

 

Just another day can be taken for granted and yet I found that this day is the one I have to be in. 

Right here, right now. 

 

Do you see what I mean? 

 

Let me share with you a story that may help you understand. 

 

More than 20 years ago I found this quote that basically said:

What good is the time ahead if you are not enjoying the time now? 

 

This stopped me in my tracks, and I looked up, down and all around me to seriously look at all I was doing. 

Was it just another day?

Was I paying attention to what was happening in the moments or was it just another day? 

Did I get to choose if this life was going to be snappy and grand, or was I going to let it pass in a blur? 

 

Turns out that I let the enjoyment of life lead along with people who were the most important. 

 

Life was going to happen so I might as well go for the good things. 

 

That was step one, two and twelve as I continued to dance to this rhythm. 

 

I also found that there was no ‘just’ in the days that came. 

 

Perhaps you have heard this term in your realm. 

Just calm down.

Just calm down, it’s just one more thing, just be yourself. 

 

What does this mean to you? 

 

Think about it as I tell you that when I hear this it actually makes me want to do the opposite. 

 

Not stay calm, get out of the way of what is coming and wonder how I can be anyone else except for me. 

 

Isn’t that who I’m supposed to be in the first place? I’ve been this person for quite a few decades, so I have these two steps in place, thanks very much. 

 

How about you? Give it some thought and let’s keep going. 

Think about having just another day.

While I think about having just another day, I ponder one more piece that has worked for me over the years. 

 

I have found that this one more piece has actually turned into three parts. 

 

Focusing on what I love.

Asking what can be done next. 

Remembering to look up. 

 

Seems simple enough so how can this look. 

 

I can focus on what I love as I look around to see who I’m with at any time, the work I get to do during the day along with the volunteering anytime and then the joy I can create with others in each space. 

 

What can be done next may appear in many ways. 

At times it’s when I open the door for someone when they least expect it, share a smile across the room or listen to the story that can be shared with a cinnamon roll on a quiet patio. 

 

Remembering to look up is something I learned after jumping on a trampoline for most of my life. 

Way to create a bright life.

Can you imagine it with me as we think of this last way to create a bright life. 

 

I would jump on a big bouncing surface for hours as a kid growing up and then for hours when our kid, the Tall One, came along. 

 

We loved to bounce and laugh and roll around on a trampoline until we had used every ounce of energy. 

 

In fact, until everyone around had used their energy. 

When we were done jumping, we would lay back and watch the clouds go by while taking a breath together. 

 

Isn’t that the best way to go about just another day? The answer may be one that surprises you. 

 

It seems that life is not meant to be just another thing. 

Life is meant to be incredible, light, where we come and go and feel every ounce of energy pulsing through us. 

 

Here is my next thought. 

What if the point for me is to look up, exactly like I did when I jumped on the trampoline and watched the clouds with the blue popping through.

 

Want to come along? Let’s do this together!