"If you Don’t Plan . . . You Won’t Go!" is one of the "Nuggets"of life. This "Nugget" will help you step off the rocket ride of life to smell the roses before the peddles fall off.
For your own mental health, you must go away on a regular basis. It’s not optional; It’s mandatory. Even if it’s just a gas-tank trip to anywhere for the day. But if you don’t plan, you won’t go. You see, we are going to be dead a long time. One of these days they’re going to put you in that hole in the ground, go over someone’s house and have potato salad. You’re not going. You say, "One of these days. Some day I’ll go." "Some days" never seem to happen. If you put your planned trip on the calendar, you have the anticipation of going and the memories after.
Adopt the philosophy, if you’re not on one trip you’re planning the next. And go first class once in awhile. If you don’t, your heirs will. If you have a partner who never wants to go anywhere, give them the option of going on a trip with you. If they won’t go, "Bon Voyage!"
We planned a trip to Hawaii several months in advance. Six weeks before we were going to leave, we went to visit my wife’s boss who was at Stanford University Hospital. This guy was forty-eight years old and at the top of his game. He is a gazionaire in commercial real estate. He was fighting for his life with a liver tumor. I asked Steve what his message was. He said, "Don’t wait! You never know what’s going to happen."
The next day I went to the phone and booked our two sons and their families to Hawaii. I didn’t tell my wife Harriet. I wanted to surprise her after having a relaxing first week in Hawaii; without having to worry about the details. The rest of our family was on the island that first week in a different condo.
Three days before we were to surprise mom, we were walking up a beach at the north end of Kauai. Fifty feet in front of us, our son Rob, daughter-in-law Nancy and three and five-year-old grandsons Christian and Trevor, walked right in front of us. I thought, "Well there goes the surprise." Harriet never saw them. She wasn’t looking for them in Hawaii. I whisked her up to the edge of the beach where I watched our grandsons snorkel. They had been practicing at home in the bathtub. I was going to have Harriet pose with them in the background, but I knew I would get in big trouble.
We were having drinks looking at the sunset over Bali Hai on Mothers Day. Harriet looked over and said, "Those two little guys look like our grandsons, Christian and Trevor." They should have. She bought the outfits they were wearing. The boys came over with flower leis for gramma and grandpa. Then let the games begin. The time we spent that next week was magic. The next day Harriet said, "It’s girls day out." It was a special time to go to the beach with my two sons and grandsons.
Billy Graham said, "You’ve never seen a hearst on the way to the cemetery with a U-Haul trailer on the back." We are sharing more of what we have with our kids after what Steve told us that day. This is the time they need it most. We get the enjoyment and satisfaction seeing them appreciate life more. Why wait until they start wheeling you around in a wheel chair. And how do they say thank you after the will anyway?
The difference between a rut and the grave is only the depth.
Were into making memories. Nothing else really counts does it?
But if you don’t plan . . . you won’t go. Time to plan your escape!
STAY WELL.
Fire "Captain Bob" Smith is a recognized expert and speaker on stress, communication and relationship skills. He is the author of "Fire Up Your Communication Skills" ISBN 09657620-6- 8, a humorist, coach, entrepreneur and frequent talk show guest. He also produces customized presentations for career and personal growth. "Captain Bob is a regular keynote presenter for corporations and national associations across North America. To book him as a speaker, ask him any questions, or get a copy of his book and tapes call (888) 238-3959. e-mail: captbob@eatstress.com WebPage: http://www.eatstress.com.