Stop what you are doing right now. Seriously. Take a moment and read this post.
What have you accomplished today? Not just work, but everything. Did you say thank you to the guy opening the door or the gal who served you coffee? Did you tell your kids or spouse I love you? Did you make a difference?
Last week, I took a flight to Phoenix on my favorite airline – Southwest – to meet a client and a consultant. With two small children at home, I am trying to only do these trips for one night at a time and I am writing this post on Friday evening on my way home.
The unthinkable happened as we were on our final approach into Phoenix. A lady a few rows in front of me went into cardiac arrest and stopped breathing. Southwest handled the situation perfectly, first by asking for a doctor and then getting the plane down as quickly as possible. We watched as paramedics carried her off the plane. For thirty minutes we sat as they worked on her in the jet way, presumably unsuccessfully based on everyone’s reaction as we exited the plane.
As I saw the real tears from passengers and flight attendants after the tunnel had cleared, it made me remember the blessing of today. Part of my trip to Phoenix was to plan for the future of our business in public relations. The funny way God works is that we are only guaranteed today. I didn’t know the poor woman, but I thought about how short life is and how thankful I am for today’s blessings.
Before you go to sleep tonight, ask yourself, did I make a difference today? Do I have any regrets? If you cannot answer this question to your satisfaction, try again tomorrow.
One Response
Mike Bosley
February 8th, 2010 at 12:10 pm
Wow! What an experience!? Thanks for posting this, Renzi. I’ve been faced with my own mortality in a big way the past 6 months and, well, I haven’t liked it much.
The Book of James reminds us life is like a mist…
And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, “Today—at the latest, tomorrow—we’re off to such and such a city for the year. We’re going to start a business and make a lot of money.” You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, “If the Master wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll do this or that.” As it is, you are full of your grandiose selves. All such vaunting self-importance is evil.