Why Save the Good Stuff for Later?: Enjoy the Moment

I really enjoyed the new George Clooney and Julia Roberts movie”Ticket to Paradise”. A divorced couple tried to break up the impending marriage of their only beloved daughter in beautiful Bali. It was funny, touching and very clear the chemistry that still exists between the two Hollywood giants. 

As a father, I definitely was captivated by this movie, especially the beautiful sights and scenery of Bali. Yet what sticks with me is the dialogue. There is this scene when he is talking with his daughter’s best friend at the bar & well captures a parents feelings for their child. You just love your kid. There is no one more important in your life than your kid. 

“Happy is Great. Lily (his daughter) happy is the greatest of all. It’s just a weird thing happens when you become a parent. When Your kid is down and when they are  in pain, it kills you. 

But when they are up and things are going great, that’s when you get really scared. Cause you don’t want it to change and you know it will.”

Yet things always change. That’s life. We get so trapped in the future: chasing, anticipating, clenching for the pain, expecting that things will turn. Ruining the moment. The constant hard chasing of our goals like all good type A individuals. Something of which I am very guilty of all the time. 

Hence the quote repeated many times in the movie. “Why wait, why save the good stuff for later. Don’t we deserve some good stuff along the way?”

The lesson for me is that we all need to step back, be present and enjoy the moment. To try not to think too far ahead. I focus on treasuring the quiet moments, treasuring the time with my family and treasure the small wins along the way. I treat myself and resist my stingy monk- like tendencies. I try to enjoy myself. It’s okay to indulge yourself sometimes. 

To help slow down my brain, I try to do box breathing (4 seconds in, hold 4 seconds, breathe out 4 seconds and hold 4 seconds). Regular and plenty of meditation helps. This helps us stay present. 

We have such a short time on this earth, better to enjoy it as much as we can, when we can.