Make Each Day Count

On this lazy Sunday, my daughter and I laid on the bed and watched the Titantic. In the movie, there was a scene when Leonardo's character was invited to this lavish dinner because he had save this lady's life. Throughout the dinner, most of the people at the table made snide remarks about his poverty stricken life. Near the end of the dinner, he said "I may be poor but I find excitement in living life because each day I never know where I may lay my head next. Before I arrived on the Titantic, I was in Paris painting, but now I am here having dinner with you fine people" (So they thought).

Watching this scene made me think about the conversation that I had at this Halloween Party the previous night. One of the conversations was about a few people wishing that they could go back to when they were 18 or 22. When you are 18 and 22, people enjoy it because you have minimal responsibilities and a whole lot of freedom. But I firmly believe that just because you have increased responsibilities that does not mean that you can't live life with boldness, passion, and youthful vigor.

Have you ever watched 3 different movies consecutively at the movie theater, gone to playground by yourself, laid in your pajamas all day (and didn't have a problem with it), made angels in the snow, decided to go out of town (i.e. Bahamas) and then went the next day, read a book all day, learned a new dance like salsa, or done anything to rejuvenate your vitality. One of the things my sisters and I do during the holidays is have a sleepover and watch all the Christmas classics like National Lampoon Christmas Vacation and Home Alone. It is amazing how during that moment we all feel like we were kids again.

On the recent Bill Maher show, he talked about how adults need to leave Halloween and other children activities to the kids. Usually Bill makes some good points but on this one we are going to have to disagree. Every now and then, it feels good to receive the beaters or the mixing bowl, right after mom finishes making a cake.

"Nobody can give you freedom. Nobody can give you equality or justice or anything. If you're a man, you take it".
Malcolm X, Malcolm X Speaks, 1965 US Black Nationalist Leader (1925 - 1965)