Why “One Day” is Now

I recently learned that someone I worked with for years, who just retired in November 2019 after 30 years of hard work, passed away. This news came a week after I found out that a 25-year old friend who had just begun their career in law enforcement and gotten engaged to the love of his life, never woke up after going to sleep one night. A friend’s mom passed away before Christmas at an age that used to sound old, but as my own parents age, doesn’t sound so old anymore. These aren’t the first untimely deaths of friends I’ve experienced, but back-to-back during the holiday season when things are “supposed” to be joyous and happy and life-filled, hit hard. 

It made me step back and reflect. I took a hard look at what I’m spending my time doing. I thought about how I treat those around me, especially the ones I love most. It also made me think about the last few years, since I left my government job in wildland fire, and ask myself a few questions about the thought process I’ve tried to implement since making this big life change.

Do you ever hear yourself saying any of the following statements? 

“One day I’ll travel there.”

“One day I’ll have more time.”

“One day I’ll get to that.”

“One day I’ll call that person.”

“One day I’ll have enough money to go there.”

One of the reasons I resigned from my government job was because I started hearing myself saying “one day” too often. 

My awareness of this came about the same time I saw a few people I worked with, who worked until retirement age, pass away within months of leaving their long-time jobs. They were responsible, they worked hard for 30+ years, and were probably “set for life” because of the wise decisions they made professionally and financially. I admired them, and also mourned the loss of the time they had planned so meticulously for that they would never see.

There is nothing wrong with setting your life up this way; for some of us it’s a necessity. Working hard at whatever you choose to do is admirable and important. I did, however, find myself away from home for weeks at a time, spending long days at the office and coming home drained and stressed, and saying yes to a lot of things that felt trivial and tedious. I began to wonder if “one day” could be closer than my overscheduled and overstressed life allowed. I realized it could be, but not without some major changes.

When I left my job to spend more time with my family, I made the conscious decision to make “one day” TOday as often as I could. I realize more and more that time is irreplaceable. We cannot buy more of it and we cannot get it back once it’s gone. Making time for the things we want to do “one day” is so important to do NOW. 

Yes, I gave up a lot of earthly security when I left my job. A substantial paycheck every 2 weeks. Paid vacation. Sick leave. Retirement. Health insurance. All things that are pretty important in a world that just keeps getting more expensive. There was (and still is!)  a lot to figure out, to adjust to, and to restructure in the way of finances and expectations.

However, with this change, I gained TIME. Time to say yes to friends. Time to spend with my family. Time to serve others. Time to be creative, to write, to be outside. Time to be. Present. 

So I dedicate this to those who have passed away before it felt fair to us left behind. Their time on earth is up, cut short so quickly. Through us, their memory is kept alive. We can live with intention and purpose, honoring them with the time we are blessed to still have. Their “one days” all disappeared, but ours still remain. 

What are you saying “one day” to that could be less of a dream and more of a reality? Less in the future and more in the present? What steps do you need to take towards making that happen? You don’t have to leave a job to gain perspective, but one decision can move you closer to “one day” becoming now.