I remember learning in high school all of the different introduction techniques used in writing. Sharing a breathtaking statistic or fact, for example, is an excellent way to grab the reader's attention. I always liked using lesser known quotes to kick off my essays, because there is so much wisdom yet to be realized from those that have come before me.
"Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone." - Pablo Picasso (1881-1973)
I've heard variations of procrastination quotes all throughout my life. "You may delay, but time will not." "Live like you're dying." "Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today." It seems like very other day some carpe-diem-ian (?) is trying to extol the value of the present day, but never before have I looked at it as Picasso so bluntly stated. I think it has something to do with him mentioning the possibility of an important task being left incomplete, which is a different approach than other quotes I've come across. It's the introduction of that chance, that risk, that strikes fear in me and forces me to reevaluate my priorities.
I'm not talking about material things - such as buying a house, traveling, or even securing my financial future. If I'm to die tomorrow, those tangible objects would have little importance to anyone beyond my heirs - and even to them, only a small amount. For me, at least, it's the relationships in my life that I value the most. It's the phone call I should place today; the relationship I should mend today; the limitless love and attention I should share today; the absolute beauty, underestimated strength, and omnipresent compassion of human nature that I should realize today.
Don't get me wrong though; I'm still focusing on much more than the present day. As with most things in life, there is a balance to be found. Ronda and I basically put ourselves through a self-enforced boot camp starting last January - the focus of which was centered on our future together. The mistakes we've made, the experience and wisdom we've gained, and the hardships we've endured are all material for a remarkable story that we will be ready to share soon so I won't go into a whole lot of detail. I will, however, share the quote that has been an inspiration to us both throughout all of this:
"If you'll live like no one else, later you can live like no one else."
This quote is often attributed to Dave Ramsey, although I'm not confident that it originated with him. I'm honestly not a huge fan of Ramsey, but if he did indeed make that statement (sans right-wing guidance), I have to give him the respect he deserves. I take pride in my individuality and realize that if I want to surpass the average American lifestyle, I have act different than the average American. Naturally, the aforementioned lifestyle is one that has been rooted into the very foundation of my beliefs through advertising, peers, and authority figures. But with hard work, determination, and a game plan, I've realized that any task can be accomplished - even one as difficult as unlearning 23 years of consumer propaganda.
Again, we'll be at a place in the next few months where we'll be prepared to (hopefully shamelessly) share our story with the world. Perhaps in the meantime, you will re-read those two quotes and begin to truly understand the unyielding power that lies in your hands to shape every aspect of your own future - be it a task that you should complete today or the life that you want to live tomorrow.