Life is Long
T4D subscriber Stephen G. Russell self declard “Chris Rock” fan shares this thought provoking piece from the Movie “I think I Love My Wife”
“You know, some people say life is short and that you could get hit by a bus at any moment; and that you have to live each day like it’s your last. Life is long. You’re probably not gonna get hit by a bus. And you’re gonna have to live with the choices you make for the next fifty years.” ~ -Chris Rock, from his film “I Think I Love my Wife”
Well I don’t just think…. I know I love my wife. I strive to make choices everyday that keeps me out of the path of buses and other things that can wreck and destroy my life, my marriage and my family.
Life goes by very fast…but at the same time ”life is long.” Far too long to live choices made selfishly or without thought of consequence to others. The question is bigger than ”Can I live with this choice for the next 50 years? It’s more like “Can everyone impacted by this choice, live with it for the next 50 years?
Decisions determine destiny…. let’s work to make them wisely! ~ Kirk out
November 17th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Kirk,
Your statement “Decisions determine destiny…. let’s work to make them wisely! ”
Can not be overstated, decisions made in a moment of passion often come back to bite the owner.
November 17th, 2008 at 11:24 am
Kirk,
Your thought for the day hit home. Last Friday I attended the funeral of my 30-year old nephew, a police officer killed in the line of duty. Officers from all over the state, and many outside, attended the funeral along with family, friends, and community. My nephew was hailed a hero and the eulogies detailed a man who lived a full life, loved his wife and their 4-week old twins, and gave his all to serve and protect his community.
His father left my sister when my nephew was young–a decision that negatively impacted their lives. However, they moved forward, and my nephew lived an exemplary life of service, love, and loyalty. My sister’s ex-husband on the other hand, choose a less than stellar life.
He also attended the funeral. While others shed tears of loss, this man shed tears of pain and regret. He realized the impact of his decision and how he missed out on knowing his son and being in his life. Now that opportunity is gone. I have never seen such a despondent, sad, and lonely man as this. I will never forget his uncontrollable sobs, and cries of “What have I done?” and “How could I have been so selfish?”
Decisions indeed determine destiny. A father’s decisions have left him alone and hopeless. The son’s decisions led to a full life of love and service–a hero remembered.
Many thanks for your dedication Kirk. I know it takes much time and effort to keep T4D going while also giving time to your family. I know you have a busy schedule. But I read your thoughts every day. They add a positive lift to my day and help me stay focused on my values.
November 17th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Kirk, I love this post. My father is much like the walk-away father mentioned in the comment above. He is closing in on 60 now and has many, many regrets of decisions that he can never ever fix. Sad. While I still harbor pain from his decisions that negatively impacted my life, I do everything I can to use him as an example. An example of what NOT to do. I work hard at what I call Regret Prevention. I ask myself questions often, “Is this chore list as important as time with my husband/son? In 5 years, will this decision haunt me? In one month, will I care that my husband didn’t wash my sweater properly? Will this benefit or wreak havoc on my family’s future? Can I respond to this disappointment differently?” Hard, hard stuff in the heat of moment. But if I don’t take the time to do it NOW, I WILL regret it later. In some instances, I already regret. SO frustrating when it’s preventable, yanno?
Every choice has a consequence. We must make the life choices that has consequences that we and those that it impacts can live best with.