This post is for you trailblazers, with love.

I have heard many people say: live your life as if death were on your shoulder.

It’s a reminder of our mortality, and that we should live our lives as fully as we possibly can. Many years ago, after reading Carlos Castenada, I would have been part of that crowd; fearlessly treating each day as my last.

But, not anymore.

You’re probably wondering “Why not?! What’s wrong with the motto of seizing the day, and making every moment count?”

I will never disagree that life is a delicious gift to be adored and enjoyed thoroughly. But there is an undertow within that statement that doesn’t sit well with me.

In this tidy little statement, I sense a colossal fear of wasting time. This terror has us all puttering around in costumes of meaningfulness and mindfulness. We seem to feel we’re responsible for a final weighing of our deeds and acts at the end of our lives; as though a pair of scales will be produced to see whether we lived purposefully enough or we wasted entire evenings or days.

It sparks an unshakeable dread that won’t allow us to spend our lives the way we wish. Instead, we think to ourselves: if we leave behind no achievements, produce nothing, what is left of us when we release into the great beyond?

So we become steamrollers, constantly smashing into and over goals, full speed ahead. Our lives become cycles of ambition and accomplishment. We want to be in the big leagues, to be recognized, and admired. We push, sweat, and drag ourselves across finish lines. The worst part? The more milestones we pass, the less likely we are to look back and see the legacy we’ve made.

Think about it. As soon as you pass a certain financial mark, you’re thinking about the next one. The moment you finish your book, you’re thinking about the tour that goes along with it. We’re so intent on moving forward and getting more, we forget to appreciate all we’ve accomplished. It’s rare we even stop to take a breath and think “Yes, I did this. And now, I will reward myself on my own terms.”

We create simple equations in our heads:
Achievement = good.
Delay = bad.
Relaxation = laziness.

We must come to an understanding as a species that our time here can’t only be about repeating cycles of survival, procreation and crammed in holidays. I think our time here is about the joy of life. I know there is tremendous struggle, famine, war in our world but I think you will agree that that is not a purpose that we all aspire to.

Instead, we each carry a memory or desire for ease, goodwill, freedom from survival issues somewhere in our DNA. And it is that particular piece of code that I find myself drawn to – a code that says: we are here to live, love and be free.

And because of this code, I create the time to dilly dally, daydream and enjoy the wealth of this life in all its subtle hues and emotions.

When we do, each day becomes simply a day, to explore and enjoy as we see fit. Each moment ticks by in peace, uncluttered by bucket lists and places to visit before 80.

Instead of speeding towards the finish line, let’s take the time to appreciate where we stand.

So let us raise a cup to this freedom and say glory, glory, glory. It is accomplished.