I missed it yesterday. The sunset. Needed to send a couple last emails before relaxing on the deck. Just two. Done!
Too late. Darkness had fallen.
Lucky for me, there was another opportunity today. I seized it! Bright orange . . . fading to pink . . . to violet . . . then dark. Glorious! Less than 15 minutes. Sunsets don’t last long, and they only occur at a certain time. Easily missed if one’s not purposeful.
As much as I love sunsets, there are far more important moments throughout the day. Relationship moments. Some I seize; far too many I miss. But I’m getting better.
I have long subscribed to the mantra “carpe diem.” Seize the day. But I’ve found that’s too broad stroke. Most of my days are a monsoon of emails, phone calls, tasks and unexpected “fires” to contain. Oh, I seize the day. I also miss some opportune moments in the process.
Some might say, “Time management, Russ!” Problem is I don’t believe time can be managed. It keeps ticking regardless of anything I do. Like a Sherman tank, time can’t be stopped. “Russ management” is more in order.
Last Sunday, my pastor referenced two Greek words for time – Chronos and Kairos. Chronos is that unstoppable ticking, whereas Kairos means the right or opportune moment. The notion that opportunity is embedded in each moment of time. When that opportunity passes, it’s gone.
The comparable Latin word is occasio – fit time, favorable moment. Precious moments with my wife, daughters, mother, friends, colleagues, self and God’s daily glory. Moments that are soon gone. No, blowing through the day won’t do.
My PC and iPhone have off buttons. I’ve learned those are not solely for rebooting, but actually powering down. Sometimes I must power down the mental clutter too. Only then can I carpe occasio!
Getting better! Hope you are too.
© 2016 Russ Riddle. All rights reserved.