Life isn’t a matter of milestones, but of moments.
– American philanthropist Rose Kennedy was born on this day in 1890 (died 1995)
Whether or not you’re a fan of the Kennedy family, you have to admit that Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy was an amazingly strong woman. She raised a large family, lost a son in the war, and lost two sons, one a President, to assassin’s bullets. She certainly had more than her fair share of moments.
It’s true that in life we’re often working for or heading for the next big thing. The next job. The next vacation.
In my case, the next book.
That’s right, I said next book.
Check the sidebar. I wrote How to Break into the Event Planning Business some fifteen years ago. It was published by Dream Jobs to Go. A few years back they stopped printing it, I reacquired the rights and self published it on my Cafepress Shop.
It was in one of those phases where I was convinced I was going to launch my event production company. It’s funny, I actually am producing events and shows. Just not in the same manner I thought I would be when that book was first published. And, the company isn’t totally off the table. Stay tuned.
I digress.
As a writer I have deadlines. There are dates when I have to have my work in.
And, as an actor, there are times when I have to be off book and then ready to perform. Sure, those are fixed points in time.
But they’re more moments than milestones.
As a follower of Jesus there’s really only one important milestone, so to speak.
His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
– Matthew 25:23
That’s the big one, Elizabeth.
(Have someone explain the cultural reference if you don’t get it.)
Sure, whatever our belief system, we all want to finish well.
But life happens along the way. We shouldn’t be so wrapped up in getting to the next big thing that we miss what’s happening daily.
In writing or acting, that’s hard to do because, as I said, the focus is the publication or the opening of the show. There comes a time when that’s the only focus.
I was having that discussion with my friend and production partner the other night. We were talking about how life had been so focused on our production. Then, as soon as it was over I had to hit the road for some family and personal trips while he had to catch up on a work backlog.
We talked about how during those times we both neglected our health. We’re working on it. I’m getting back to the pool and to walking when I’m not in danger of a heat stroke. He’s hitting the bike.
Of course, rehearsals are starting. Deadlines are looming.
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