I heard it again yesterday. I swear it's like a worldwide broken record: "When the kids are grown/through college/on their own (or, when I retire), I want to buy an RV/fly around the world/move to Florida/write a book." Maybe that's not the exact words you use, but I'll bet you have your very own version of a similar declaration.

There's something wrong with a picture that ignores the present and only focuses on the future, particularly in those times of anticipated major transition. This kind of thinking usually starts in childhood, when adults ask us what we want to be when we grow up. It's our introduction to future-thinking and to looking for particular points of life as indicators that it's time to make changes.

The reality that is missing for most people in all those months and years prior to the actual doing stage is the realization that: once the time arrives, you're going to have to put it into play one step at a time. So, why not start now. Look at your choices. You can wait until, for instance, the day of your retirement, then start the process of going for your dream. Or, you can get started now, bit by bit, and when the day of retirement arrives, you're already well on your way,

My younger brother wants to retire in couple of years and sail the Great Lakes. His wife has her own version of the same dream. She wants to continue working and drive to Canada to meet him for weekends of sailing. Even though this seems to focus on the future, it's actually happening right now. They've always been "now" people. They think of an idea and start planning and doing almost immediately.

Like I said, this vision includes retirement and sailing. The sailing idea actually came right out of our childhood when we lived in Lake County, Florida. Lakes, sailing get the picture? Move forward to the 1990's when this couple bought an affordable 14-foot beginner boat. In 1999 they purchased and completely rebuilt a 1974 Clipper 21 sailboat. Four years later they upgraded to an Ericson E27. Their most recent acquisition is a 32-footer they hope to hang on to for quite a while. In addition to buying bigger and better boats and fixing each up, the two of them have taken numerous sailing, navigation and safety courses. This dream is on its way to fruition. Their thinking has never been: "It will be." It's always been: "It is."

From my brother's website set up to follow the repairs on the 21-footer: "In the fall of 1999, my son

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

---

Add your voice

Know something about Reflections: Living in the now?
We want to hear your view. Write now!