I began writing this article on Sunday, November 8 at 10:46am. I am sitting in our quiet home. Our grandson is taking his nap. Our “grand-dog” is taking her nap on our couch. My wife / daughter / son / daughter-in-law are shopping, primarily at Bass Pro Shop. Just giving you the setting.
My theme for this article is what would I have missed if I had listened to the scientists / experts / believers-in-both.
1). March 14 – Trip to Carmel. Was honored to lead a beautiful memorial service for a school friend’s father. Was a gorgeous day in Carmel. Was able to see some important childhood friends. Would have missed that if I had listened to the scientists / experts / believers (friends / family) – in – both (scientists & experts) and stayed home.
2). March 30 – Celebrating our Twenty-Ninth Wedding Anniversary dinner. Would have missed that if I had listened to the scientists / experts / believers (friends / family) – in – both (scientists & experts) and stayed home.
3). April 3-7 – Trip to San Diego to celebrate our son’s Twenty-Sixth birthday. Last time in person for a while. The Navy is sending him and his family to Japan until 2023. Would have missed that if I had listened to the scientists / experts / believers (friends / family) – in – both (scientists & experts) and stayed home.
4). May 3 – Dinner with my brother-in-law and his family Would have missed that if I had listened to the scientists / experts / believers (friends / family) – in – both. Would have missed that if I had listened to the scientists / experts / believers (friends / family) – in – both (scientists & experts) and stayed home.
5). May 16 – Daughter-in-law’s birthday.
6). May 20 – Son / Daughter-in-law’s wedding anniversary.
7). May 24 – Our daughter’s Twenty-Fourth birthday
8). June 24-27 – My wife and I went to Couer d’Alene, Idaho to begin to research our future home. Would have missed that if I had listened to the scientists / experts / believers (friends / family) – in – both (scientists & experts) and stayed home.
9). July 4 – Great Fourth of July celebration in our neighborhood! Super fun fireworks. People hanging out! Would have missed that if I had listened to the scientists / experts / believers (friends / family) – in – both (scientists & experts) and stayed home.
10). July 25 – Kacie’s Graduation Party – Well-over 100 people in attendance. Would have missed that if I had listened to the scientists / experts / believers (friends / family) – in – both (scientists & experts) and stayed home.
11). July 28-30 – Lake Tahoe to stay with my wife’s cousins. Their home is becoming a refuge. Great to be win a beautiful area with beautiful people. Would have missed that if I had listened to the scientists / experts / believers (friends / family) – in – both (scientists & experts) and stayed home.
12). August 28-30 – Lake Tahoe to stay with my wife’s cousins. Their home is becoming a refuge. Great to be win a beautiful area with beautiful people. Playing drums at Christian Fellowship of South Lake Tahoe! Yaaaaaay!! Would have missed that if I had listened to the scientists / experts / believers (friends / family) – in – both (scientists & experts) and stayed home.
13). September 4-7 – San Diego to celebrate our grandson’s Second Birthday. Was a fantastic time! Love being with our in-laws. Would have missed that if I had listened to the scientists / experts / believers (friends / family) – in – both (scientists & experts) and stayed home.
14). September 26 – Matt (former Dublin HS student) came to the house for a fun dinner! Would have missed that if I had listened to the scientists / experts / believers (friends / family) – in – both (scientists & experts) and not allow a guest into our home.
15). October 9-11 – Trip to Monterey to celebrate my sisters 53rd birthday. So pretty down there. Had a great food. Wonderful time! Would have missed that if I had listened to the scientists / experts / believers (friends / family) – in – both (scientists & experts) and stayed home.
16). October 23-25 – Lake Tahoe to stay with my wife’s cousins. Their home is becoming a refuge. Great to be win a beautiful area with beautiful people. Playing drums at Christian Fellowship of South Lake Tahoe! Yaaaaaay!! Would have missed that if I had listened to the scientists / experts / believers (friends / family) – in – both (scientists & experts) and stayed home.
17). October 31 – Halloween. We must have had over forty children, along with their parents / grandparents and other adults. Super fun. Enjoyed seeing people resist the “direction” of “STAY HOME.” Would have missed that if I had listened to the scientists / experts / believers (friends / family) – in – both (scientists & experts) and not sat outside in front of our house with our fire pit handing out candy.
18). November 3 – Election. Not much to say about that. Congratulations to those who enjoyed their victory.
19). November 6-10 – Our son / daughter-in-law / grandson from San Diego are visiting. I love them very much. OOOOps… time to pause. Jason just got up from his morning nap. I need to take care of him (11:08am). Turned on “Coco” and cuddled. Pretty special! Would have missed that if I had listened to the scientists / experts / believers (friends / family) – in – both (scientists & experts) and due to fear in getting or giving them COVID-19 didn’t allow them to stay in hour home.
20). November 13-15. Lake Tahoe to stay with my wife’s cousins. Their home is becoming a refuge. Great to be win a beautiful area with beautiful people. Playing drums at Christian Fellowship of South Lake Tahoe! Yaaaaaay!! Would have missed that if I had listened to the scientists / experts / believers (friends / family) – in – both (scientists & experts) and stayed home.
21). Between March 16 – present – Fifteen meals shared with Julann & Dave. At their home and our home! Would have missed that if I had listened to the scientists / experts / believers (friends / family) – in – both (scientists & experts) and stayed home or not allowed Julann & Dave in our home.
22). As our Naval Officer Son was at sea (mid-April / early August), numerous weeks with our wonderful daughter-in-law / grandson / grand-dog LuLu. Would have missed that if I had listened to the scientists / experts / believers (friends / family) – in – both (scientists & experts) and did not allow them to stay with us in our home!
COVID-19 is FOR REAL… so is taking risks! To have thought that I would have missed all of this because “Paul, you need to listen to the experts.”
Here is where “self-ownership” needs to return with a “hint” of empathy for others. Think about all you have given up because you listened to the “experts.” What a shame.
Time is NOT renewable. You don’t get that time back. You should treat time with a new sense of reverence. Something, again, you will never get back. Be careful to give up time based on what others, including what “experts” say.
I strongly encourage you to watch the video about “How To Manage Your Time.” The ninth way is: Invest your time creating new memories: You have been preoccupied while life hastens on. Meanwhile death will arrive, and you have no choice in making yourself available for that.” Since March 16, 2020, what investments have you made in creating new memories?
Last night, I watched the Clemson / Notre Dame game. Two things I will remember from that game: network news interrupting the game for speeches from the President-elect & Vice President-Elect (uneasy seeing that happen – felt like some other country the “supreme” leader stopping a broadcast to make an “edict” – that will be for another article) and then following the game, the Notre Dame fans rushing onto the field! Forget social distancing! Forget the mask (and yes, like “good” citizens – many wore the mask). I LOVED IT! Think of the memories for those fans, many university students!
“But, Paul! What about the risk of COVID-19? They put their lives at risk… AND DAMN IT… THEY PUT OTHERS’ LIVES AT RISK.”
Yep… they sure did as all those who rioted and destroyed businesses since May 26th… I would rather of memories made following a college football game than destroying livelihoods. There were plenty of folks not social distancing or wearing masks celebrating the elections! Where is all the admonishment for those folks?
From the video: Treat time as a commodity. Seneca: People are frugal in guarding their personal property; but as soon as it comes to squandering time they are most wasteful of the one thing in which it is right to be stingy. We fail to treat time as a valuable resource, even though its arguably our most precious and least renewable one. It is insane to waste time, because we can’t make anymore when it runs out.
Thank God (literally) I did not waste my time following the “experts.” Before it is too late (your coming death), I encourage you to stop wasting your time waiting for a vaccine / the government giving you permission to enjoy your limited / short time here.
Think about how this nation was founded. Many people took many risks so we could have a great nation. Well, to have a great life, you are going to have to take risks – or not. Go ahead…you can do it.
VIDEO: Seneca – How To Manage Your Time (Stoicism)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41HYjV8IxiI&t=16s