Favorite Moments

That's one of my favorite photos. It's our son John, at the helm of our former sailboat, "Visitation," with his mom at his side. I don't remember much about the day. It was autumn, warm and perfect for sailing and by the looks of the background we were a couple of miles off Sunset Beach. The image captures most of what I enjoy about sailing: being outdoors, on the water, together, loving life.

I'm not a great sailer. It'd take years for me to master the technique, skill, knowledge... much less desire... to race at the head of the class or to challenge the open seas. However, when the wind is fair, the sun warm on our backs, the swell gentle and I'm surrounded by those I love... sailing fits the bill for me. It's hard to imagine that we no longer own a boat and that our little slip on gangway 25 in Long Beach belongs to someone else... so many good times.

Talking with a good friend recently, I listened as he went over his training program and the races he has planned for the months ahead. I lamented that it would take me months of training before I could even enter, much less compete with him, laughing he said: "Better start tomorrow." I told him that "tomorrow's" always my favorite day to train... when I wake up, look at my running gear next to the bed, too often I think- tomorrow... not today.

Favorite moments are the result of participation in life. Whether it's paying the price to own and learn how to share a sail boat on a wondreful fall afternoon or waking up to train alone in order to share a race with friends, favorite moments rarely just happen, we create them. What are you creating with your life today? What memories and emotions will a snapshot of today bring back five years from now, twenty-five years?

John doesn't know it yet, but someday, when Debi and I are well beyond our sailing years, or when we've already set our sails that one final time, he'll treasure this snapshot for the memory of the day and the memory of his mom... it's going to move way up on his list of favorite moments. It'll make him a better dad with a deeper desire to spend the time and money to share with his family and create some favorite moments of their own. Our lives... sometimes our legacy, is often little more then a collection of favorite moments, time well spent, with those we love. Don't wait until tomorrow. Make the most of today.

blessings... and smooth sailing,

Eric

Do It Now

I understand why we put things off- we hope life, and it's challenges, will resolve itself without forcing us to make a decision. Decision making can be tough. Decision makers live with the consequences- good and bad -we forget that the penalty for indecision can profoundly change our lives, our world even our existence.

The photo's of Greenland, melting away, while the world continues to heat up at a faster pace then anyone imagined. There's a great article on Greenland's meltdown on cnn at: http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/science/06/06/greenland.warming.reut/index.html.
100 years ago my grandparents were in the first years of their marriages, enjoying the blessings and dealing with the struggles all new parents face. Computers, microwaves, telephones, television, air flight, space travel, atomic bombs, ipods... well the list is rediculous really... were all the fruit of decisions yet to be made, they had no clue what the world held for their grandchildren, they lived for today.

We have a clue of what the future holds for our grandchildren a century hence. Even with inventions, creative thinkers and a world of discovery that we, like my grandparents 100 years ago, can't begin to imagine, it's important to remember a simple truth from God's Word - "Earth abides." There's a great old science fiction book from the '50's that takes it's title from the verse (think I'll find it on Amazon.com and buy a copy to read again). The Word says Earth abides... not the world as we know it. Life, civilization, society and our interactions with our living planet is in a constant state of flux. It's a truth we can depend on. It's a reminder to each of us: do it now!

Riverside's probably not going to have beach front property any time soon, however, the world our grandchildren live in will be radically dependent on the decisions we make today. Every little issue that come's up- every earth shaking glacier that drops into the sea, should be a reminder to us: Do It Now! Don't let another day slip by. Love someone, help someone, worship God, create, share, say hello, encourage a stranger, embrace a friend, tell your family you love them, make a decision to be a better person, be exactly who you dream of being, live! Be a great steward of the earth, ride share, ride a bike, get a hybrid, care. Do it now.

The ice is shifting. The water is rising. Today is our only day to be exactly who God created us to be. In a world that's rapidly melting away are you living a life to make your children proud, to leave a legacy to your grandchildren? Do it now!