You Never Get to Do This Again!

This will never happen again. When I first heard this phrase, it stopped me in my tracks. I was attending a webinar on gratitude when an author friend of mine said, "I'm reminding myself that this will never happen again" as she was referring to her writing process and the gratitude she felt upon completion of her very first book.

These words stuck with me because it was an unusual way to use the phrase. Many of us have likely used a similar phrase when we've experienced something awful or challenging. A version of 'well, I'm glad that's over' has played in my head many times when something really uncomfortable finally came to an end.

But what if we used this phrase a bit differently, and use it to express gratitude and as way to really be present with whatever is occurring for us right now? One of the things I love about yoga practice is its focus on the present moment, and working to simply be curious, open, and reflective about what's going on right here, right now. Isn't that really what our lives are made of? Small moments that are fleeting and simply will not be ours again?

As is true for my friend, I am also in the process of writing my first book. What a journey and what a huge learning curve! I have stated several times that if I understood and knew how much there was to learn about writing a book, I'm not sure I ever would have begun. Maybe that's the best gift...we don't know how our lives will unfold, we cannot see or control the future, so finding ways to get better at truly living and appreciating whatever process we are in can shape our experience in powerful ways.

Of course, this isn't just about writing a book. Just imagine how you'd approach brand new activities if you used these words as a guidepost. We all can remember the excitement of a new job, or the thrill of a new romantic relationship. What if we could experience that same feeling of wonder and exhilaration more often? How would our days change if we went into new experiences with a sense of wonder and willingness to try, as opposed to getting caught up in perfectionism, worrying about feeling judged by others, or our own need for success or certain outcomes?

Whether we are knee-deep in some real hardship or conflict, or we are experiencing great joy and unexpected blessings, we always have control over our own thinking and mindset. When we try new things, we cannot know the outcome. Events in our lives may flow easily and we can look back amazed, or they can be fraught with trouble and pain. Either way, when we view it all from a lens of what it may have to teach us, we can experience our lives as a rich tapestry of moments, nuance, and detail we could never have imagined.

Whatever new challenge this day may bring, I invite you to experiment with the idea that 'you'll never get to do this again.' It's a choice each day, and in each moment, to decide how to view our lives. We can move through our days oblivious to what we are experiencing, or we can deeply immerse ourselves in the present, with curiosity about our life and our personal journey.

I invite you to try out this phrase today. Let's make it a day to see things with fresh eyes. Whatever this moment and day may hold, you never get to do this again!