You know the one about the priest, the minister and the rabbi discussing the beginning of life. The priest says it begins at conception, the minister disagrees saying it begins at birth. They look to the rabbi for the tie breaker-‘when do you believe that life begins?’ The rabbi gives a shrug ‘when the kids move out and the dog dies’.
This reminds me of marriage where after all the good that comes from being with the same person close to two decades, you can be stuck in a mentality that leaves a lot to be desired. In effect you might be reserving the attention to what is most important to when there may be more time.
We all have things we put on hold with handy excuses-
“I’ll get in shape when I have the energy”
“I will pursue that career change I really want to make when we have enough money”
“Let’s take that trip together when everything else is taken care of”
“I’ll take my health seriously when I have the time”
“Hobbies are for retirement”
“We will have sex more when life is not so busy”
It is difficult to make things important when they are not on fire. Today is an imprint for the future. Without small or big steps now, whatever we hope to see by year end, as a part of a 5 year plan or even by the end of our lives likely will never happen.
Or from a different perspective, think of the line from that old song, “these are the good old days”.
Not to sound too morose but it is worth remembering that we may die before the dog.