Time Keeps on Slipin' Slipin' Slipin'... Into the Future
Wasn't it just yesterday I told my new neighbor I'd stop by to play ping pong with him this week? Wait, no way! It couldn't have been on Sunday, almost FIVE days ago! How does time go by so quickly? It's a strange thing; the faster I move in my race against time, the faster those evil clock hands turn! It frustrates me when I think about how time keeps on ticking and there's nothing I can do about it. What scares me most is that if I keep up this pace trying to outrun time, and time keeps beating me more and more severely... I'm going to be eighty years old by the end of next week!
That saying keeps popping into my head "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans". I have all these big plans and they keep distracting me from the beautiful life that is sitting right in front of me. I constantly have to remind myself that Aidan is only 2 years old for another couple of months. Then he'll be 3 and then 5 and then 16! I was putting him to bed last night and he told me to lay on the floor. I did. He then proceeded to pull all of his blankets out of his crib and lay them over me. He brought me his favorite stuffed animals "Baby Giraffe" and "Bitsy Giraffe" and tucked them under the blankets with me. He dimmed the lights, turned on the little thing that makes ocean wave sounds, kissed me on the cheek and said, "shhhhh... go night-night Daddy." It was so cute! He was totally reversing the roles on me :)
It's funny how when we're little, we want to be grown up and when we're grown up, we wish life could be simple again.
My new baby Logan is barely 3 weeks old and is starting to react to us and stare back with funny expressions. This stage will only last a couple more weeks before he's on to something else. Life is so short. It's too short to make so many plans. I want to live each day with my wife and kids like it's my last. Even if I fail miserably at my business because I've spent too much time with my family, at least I didn't fail with my family spending too much time with my business.
I think there is only one way to beat the clock: It's to spend time on the important things.
Steve Miller's got an opinion on this. Read the lyrics
That saying keeps popping into my head "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans". I have all these big plans and they keep distracting me from the beautiful life that is sitting right in front of me. I constantly have to remind myself that Aidan is only 2 years old for another couple of months. Then he'll be 3 and then 5 and then 16! I was putting him to bed last night and he told me to lay on the floor. I did. He then proceeded to pull all of his blankets out of his crib and lay them over me. He brought me his favorite stuffed animals "Baby Giraffe" and "Bitsy Giraffe" and tucked them under the blankets with me. He dimmed the lights, turned on the little thing that makes ocean wave sounds, kissed me on the cheek and said, "shhhhh... go night-night Daddy." It was so cute! He was totally reversing the roles on me :)
It's funny how when we're little, we want to be grown up and when we're grown up, we wish life could be simple again.
My new baby Logan is barely 3 weeks old and is starting to react to us and stare back with funny expressions. This stage will only last a couple more weeks before he's on to something else. Life is so short. It's too short to make so many plans. I want to live each day with my wife and kids like it's my last. Even if I fail miserably at my business because I've spent too much time with my family, at least I didn't fail with my family spending too much time with my business.
I think there is only one way to beat the clock: It's to spend time on the important things.
Steve Miller's got an opinion on this. Read the lyrics
posted by Mike Colón at 2:08 AM
17 Comments:
Mike:
So so true. My kids were babies yesterday and are suddenly, out of nowhere, 6 and 10!
Anyway, I, like so many others apparently, found your blog through Ali Edwards' blog.
I just wanted to say your words and photos are beautiful and inspiring. I am a photographer in Austin, Texas, and my motto and creed that I shoot by is to capture the moment; capture life. I generally stay away from flash as much as possible and your entry about flash was just what I needed at exactly the right moment! If you get a chance, or if you're interested, you can check out my blog at http://marthamoring.typepad.com
Again, thanks for the inspiration.
I think there is only one way to beat the clock: It's to spend time on the important things.
Amen. Thank you.
Hi Mike,
I am a photographer of Monterrey, Mexico. We do not know personally yet, but I know many things of your great personality through your site, blog and workshops, like The Colon Experience DVD.
We used to say in spanish, "el tiempo es oro", time is gold. The word "gold" refers to how priceless and important time is. That is why we need to spend our time doing important things, as you mentioned. Many times we spend it with urgent things, and we forgot the important ones.
Well, hope to wrote everything in a correct english grammar... I am still learning.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Here is a story. One day a professor came to his class and put up a big glass jar on a table. Then he filled this jar with rock and asked a class if the jar is full. The students said: yes, it is full. Then he put peas in the jar and they filled up the gaps between rock pieces. Then he asked again: Is it full? "Yes it is full now", said students. Then he put sand in side and sand took all the rest of the space in the jar. "Is it full now?" - he asked again. "Yes it is definitely full" - said students. Then he poured his cup of coffee in the jar and sand took all coffee inside. "Now it is full" said professor. "Please, explaine" asked students. "Well, the jar is your life. Rocks are your most important things like family, kids and friends. Fill your life with them and care about them. Peas is your less important things which make your life better, like house and car, etc. Sand is your little things wich fill up your life and make it full." "OK, what is coffee?" asked students. "Well, you can always find some time for a cup of coffee" replied a professor. :)
I'm finding good company in your thoughts, Mike. Marlie's gonna be 3 in March. I can hardly imagine walking her down the aisle (you could shoot the wedding!) without tearing up.
God bless you, friend. You encourage me in significant ways and I appreciate it.
Mike,
You are wise way beyond your years my friend. My daughter is now a beautiful and talented 16 year old. I can remember like it was yesterday when she was just a bundle in my arms. Then I blinked and she grew up. Cherish each moment with your family and continue to do your best not to blink. You know this more than most, God will provide everything you need.
Blessing to you and yours.
That is adorable! Blessings to you and your family as you grow up together.
-Eddie
I can't get through your whole post without telling you I have the same disconnected feelings.
I recently watched a movie with Adam Sandler in it. Gesh what was the movie title...
It was an okay movie, but the plot was about a business man climbing the corporate ladder to make life better for his family, yet he didn't have time to be a part of the family events since he was working so hard to plan the next strategy to climb that ladder. With the help of a Scientist and a channel changer... He was able to fast forward through all his stresses (his family interruptions) so he could get to his goal (oh oh oh it's 'Click' the movie name is 'Click') meanwhile everything between the leap was gone, he missed so much...
I could go on, but it was a great plot for in the end.. instead of chasing the dream of becoming better in his career... he was fighting to be a part of his every day life with his wife and kids. I of course teared at the end...
That is my soul reason I changed up in my life too, I kept trying so hard, to grow and market myself with the words like "record your life"... raising my prices, making sure I was in the right circles who could afford me, my life was passing me by... I did a 180 and am giving myself time to start over, to enjoy and let go...
I'm so glad to have found your site... your heart shared with us... is a wonderful thing...
We can all feel this in so many ways... thank you for putting it into words.
Accept all the hugs and kisses they'll give you. I do because I'm afraid one day they'll be "too cool" and it will all stop.
mike,
i'm on vacation right now and i gott say, "wow, how good it is to be away from all the business of photography and even thirst relief." i love the time of focus and attention i get and give and it's soo good. i want to carry it into the daily life and not spend so much time doing the things that really wont matter in the end!
i'm going to read this to my family tonight.
love and blessings,
jim
It is very apperent your abilities as a natural born leader.
It's touching inspiring moments like these that separate you - from all the rest.
The universe is a constent flow of energy, you give your energy and you recieve energy, sharing valuable quotes and lifes along the way lived moments or words of wisdom, will always excel you in your pursuits.
Congradulations to you and your wife, on the new arrival of your beautiful son.
I commend you in your travels as an amazing photographer, but mostly in your journey as a father!!
There truely is no greater gift in this world then the miracle of life, I have been a single parent for 10 years, all my sons life, to be successful in life and set a good example is important to me, More imortantly, I will not look back on our lives and regret time well spent as a family! My son is my greatest accomplishment, to suceed as a mother is my life.
Like fine wine, with time, you don't know the values of flavor its gonna hold in 10 years but you know as it ages it becomes finer, a gentelman is born.
Thanks for your time and
parts of lifes journey with us.
Learn gods grace in every mistake,
and always give more than you take.
To suceed- is to accomplish something attempted.
In reading your story today it put me in mind of a story I'd like to share with you, I know you would enjoy, it just fits!!
I will try to send it to you in form of an email our somthing.
again thanks for your time.
Happy shotting
Veronica
I'm gonna take up some more room here, I thought this is a great story, that I'm sure your viewers could also enjoy, some great people with great views, visit you here.
Some great songs to listen to;
Sugarland//Country singer:
Her new CD intitled: Enjoy the ride..Amazing CD the whole thing, but songs
#5 Happy endings
#6 Theses are the days
To all my family & friends I want to THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. ONCE YOU READ THIS YOU WILL UNDERSTAND!
A young man learns what's most important in life from the guy next door.
It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.
Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.
"Jack, did you hear me?"
"Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said.
"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him.
"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.
"You know, Jack, after your father died, M r. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said
"He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important...Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said.
As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.
The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time.
Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture....Jack stopped suddenly.
"What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked.
"The box is gone," he said
"What box?" Mom asked.
"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most,'" Jack said.
It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.
"Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."
It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read.
Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. "Mr. Harold Belser" it read. Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.
"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.
Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved:
"Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser."
"The thing he valued most was...my time"
Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked.
"I need some time to spend with my son," he said.
"Oh, by the way, Janet, thanks for your time!"
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away,"
Think about this. You may not realize it, but it's 100% true.
1. At l east 2 people in this world love you so much they would die for you.
2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.
3. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.
4. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.
5. You mean the world to someone.
6. If not for you, someone may not be living.
7. You are spec ial and unique.
8. When you think you have no chance of getting what you want, you probably won't get it, but if you trust God to do what's best, and wait on His time, sooner or later, you will get it or something better.
9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good can still come from it.
10. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look: you most likely turned your back on the world.
11. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.
12. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.
13. Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much better when they know and you'll both be happy.
14. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.
Send this letter to all the people you care about, if you do so, you will certainly brighten someone's day and might change their perspective on life...for the better.
To everyone I sent this to"Thanks for your time"
Veronica Sue
Quite true, Mike. Thanks for that. I saw you speak in NC last year and you mentioned that if you're working 15+ hours a day, you're doing it wrong. I paid close attention to that comment. Though I've always worked very hard at everything I've done, not until last year, when I didn't have any, did I realize the importance of time and spending it with the ones you love. Being owners of our own businesses, it's hard to stay out of the studio with so much work to be done (I couldn't help but notice how late your post was posted!), but your message is clear. I'm looking forward to seeing you again at your 4-day in a couple of weeks.
We only get one life...we're here for a good time, not a long time.
Corey McNabb
Sounds like you got the right idea! God bless Mike...
It was great to see your new place your new baby and your family. I am excited about our venture. I am glad that you put family first. God is pretty clear about appreciating what you have and to use the blessings that he has given you or He will take them away. God is good all the time, we just need to let Him be.
so true...good point with the business statement...
Thank you for your blog. I was just thinking very similar thoughts last night and on into this morning where the thoughts kept hanging on me. I finally sat down with Jesus and journaled some. After that I headed over to some photoblogs that inspire me (yours being one, of course, not only by the beautiful photography but by your thoughts as well).
Just wanted to let you know that God used your entry in my life this morning. Thanks for sharing and for sharing your faith as well. It reminds me to trust God in this journey because he's the one who can bring it all together. I'm a newbie photographer and look forward to learning and being inspired by my family and the simplicity of life. Keep pressin' on!
jayne rohlfing
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