Friday, May 30, 2008

Nothing Lasts Forever

"When the well is dry, they know the worth of water."
-- Benjamin Franklin

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Over 30 years have past since the band, Kansas, released Dust in the Wind. The song quickly became popular. On February 18, 1978, Dust in the Wind reached No. 6 on Billboard's Top Hits chart. It’s believed that Kansas lyricist, Kerry Livgren wrote the song after reading the line, "for all we are is dust in the wind," from a native American poetry book.

To me, the most impressive line of the song is "Nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky." Oh, so true! The lyrics should remind us to never take anything for granted.

Nothing last forever! Mother Nature reminds me of this lesson each spring with the blooming of lilac bushes. You see, I'm quite passionate about the smell of fresh lilacs. Most likely because I know the blooms don’t last forever. Mother Nature has taught me that lilac blooms, at best, last about three weeks. Hence, my window of opportunity for this sniffing sensation is quite limited.

As a part of my daily routine, I wake up early and go running run with my dog, Coach. Coach just doesn’t seem to share my same fondness for lilacs. Normally, Coach and I make it through our runs without stopping. Not so, when the lilacs are in bloom. I make it a point to stop and smell the lilacs every chance I get. To me, there is no better way to start a spring day than with a run with my dog and the smell of fresh lilacs.

Mother Nature sees to it that my exposure to the smell of lilacs is limited. When the blooms are gone, all opportunity ceases. Mother Nature reminds me that nothing lasts forever. Hence, when it comes to smelling lilacs, I take nothing for granted.

We all have so much to be thankful for. Yet, why is it we take so much for granted; people, places, thing and events? Unlike a lilac tree that produces blooms every year, we can't be certain that what we have today will be here next year, or tomorrow for that matter. There is one thing we can be certain of; that being, nothing lasts forever! If we know that nothing lasts forever, why is it that we take things for granted? Is it because we possess too much? Is it because we are always in search of something bigger and better? Or, is it because we've simply grown too accustomed to something?

S
ome of the things in our life that have given us the greatest amount of pleasure end up getting cast off to the side. When familiarity sets in, our sense of wonder, intrigue and astonishment fades, often leaving us taking something for granted. The Disney/Pixar animated film, Toy Story, is a classic example of taking something for granted. Woody, a cowboy toy, has been Andy's favorite toy for years. Everything changes when Andy receives Buzz Light Year, a fancy, new space toy. Buzz Light Year takes Woody's spot as Andy's favorite toy; Woody is soon forgotten about and cast off to side. Andy is consumed with the novelty of a new toy and forgets about the happiness and joy that Andy and Woody have shared together for years. Woody is taken for granted and forced to take a backseat to the new toy.

How about you? Do you appreciate everything you have in your life or are you taking things for granted? Often times, the people and things in our lives that deserve the most attention are taking for granted. Are you taking your health, family, friends, freedom, job, or spirituality for granted? How about the necessities of life? There are people who do not have running water, electricity, plumbing, air conditioning, food, clothes. What about the conveniences of life: cars, televisions, telephones, computers, other electronic devices, microwaves, washing machines/dryers, and furniture to name a few? Do you really appreciate all that you have?

We all have so much to be thankful for, yet we tend to take far too many things for granted. If you made a list of everything you have in your life, you would be amazed at the abundance that has been bestowed upon you. Take the time today and everyday to cherish all that you have, including the people in your life, because the truth of the matter is they could be gone tomorrow. Always remember, nothing lasts forever!

For me, I recognize that there are just a few weeks left for me to smell the lilacs. So, if you see a man standing in your yard, smelling lilacs, don't be alarmed. It's just me, truly appreciating what little time I have left getting my lilac "fix."

Its your life: live it, love it, celebrate it!MJD

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