The words of a long-dead Persian poet, one who disliked growing Islam as much as you might dislike growing Evangelicalism, reads today with all the poignancy of a morning newspaper. “Your hand can seize today, but not tomorrow; and thoughts of your tomorrow are nothing but desire. Don’t waste this breath, if your heart isn’t crazy, since “the rest of your life” won’t last forever.” Omar Khayyám wrote in quatrains long before any Brit picked up a pen. Yet, his writings are not taught in high school, when they might do the most good. They distrust both religion and government. They embrace math and science. One might think that the agenda would change over the course of 1,500 years or so, yet, here we are having the same conversations.
Jeneen Interlandi wrote earlier this week “We tire very quickly of being told that everything is on fire.” Those who are not dodging bullets care less about senseless wars as stupidity has trouble finding an ending point. Sick people are more likely to trust a life-saving vaccine while the well debate its efficacy. Those with the least grow angry at those with the most.
This is the week that launches many into a flurry of holiday activities. Over the next 35 days, more than 300 celebrations fueled by faith and tradition occur. Does this bring us joy? The chance for snow on Thanksgiving Day is increasing for Indiana. Washing your Thanksgiving turkey could spread germs. Using black plastic kitchen tools exposes you to toxins. Science shows giving thanks has been part of human survival. Yet, many already dread conversations that no one has started.
Can one ‘seize the day’ and still ‘pick your battles?’ If we choose the actions for today that make a difference for today, do we not keep ourselves in a perpetual fervor? Have we only succeeded on days where we managed to put out the fires that threatened… someone, somewhere? Why do we think that wishing a happy birthday to a growing child is any less important than the cost of hosting their party?
Alice is gone. Her restaurant closed long ago. Chuck is gone. His ‘love connections’ were often fantasies. Do we mourn their passing or do we express outrage at the fact that, in this day and age, women are still being burned for the accusation of witchcraft? Exactly which part of the day is it we’re supposed to seize?
Drink your coffee. There are those who claim that instant coffee has gotten a lot better. Don’t believe them. Instant gratification can never match the flavor we earn by grinding the beans and savoring each temperature-controlled drip. If only the rest of the day was as easy to grasp as the handle on a coffee mug; perhaps then seizing days might bring us more joy.
But we’d rather worry about tomorrow because those concerns only involve words, not actions. Seizing the day requires us to do something. Sure, some may be seen as gathering kindling, but we cannot fight a blaze that has not yet been lit. A poorly planned fire may well put itself out before we’ve unfurled a hose. Our fears give credit to the undeserving for actions they’ve yet to take.
Fear and trembling seize nothing but rob us of the joy found in what is happening right now. Let the at-risk person know you love them, invite them to your dinner, and give them space to feel welcome in your house and among your company. Grandiose speeches are not what save lives. We must take people by the hand and lead them to safety when it matters. It is the steps we take more than the words we say that change the world.
There are times when we best seize the day by staying in bed and giving ourselves rest.
Friday Morning Update: 11/29/24
Breathe. Cough. Chilled air jolts our lungs back to the reality that plagued us before and haunts us again. We realize that past follies were of little pleasure. Bank accounts are tighter. Confidence is narrow. Shortages loom on the horizon—brows furrow. A deep sigh breaks the silence while the children are nestled, all snug in their beds. Uncertain visions dance in our heads.
Ours is not a new experience. Science uncovers today the remnants of someone’s yesterday. We know nothing about what they had, what they wanted, whether they were happy. We only know that they were. Our existence is the same. Who can tell if we got along, gave the best presents, or cooked the most food when we are laid in graves? Does not one set of bones look like another?
Governments flex their power, anxious to send someone else’s children to war. Why should we listen? If governments can replace a house with a crater, then can we not also replace them with a void? Do not forget the power of your own will. You control the path on which your feet walk. The bad intentions of others are not the pavement on which you are obligated to trod.
From ancient realms of infinity, we did not request life. Breath was not our pursuit. Once it was ours, however, all others lost control. Should I decide I am happy, there are no flames in hell that can wrest what I have placed in my soul. Should I find for myself contentment, no angels from your heaven can force my immigration. My heart is not governed by anything outside of my chest.
Now is the time to pour wine. Soon enough this body becomes the clay that forms the cup from which another drinks. Do not waste time saying prayers for there is no mosque, temple, or cathedral that is more than a fairy tale. Instead, give yourself fully to love. Let your desire for peace be the force behind your steps. Scream ‘I LOVE YOU!’ in the face of hate and see if it is not consumed by its own rage.
Do not ignore those who would befriend you. Can another heart control where you place your love? Enemies dissolve before us when we take their hands with compassion. Those who step with you soon enough crush the army that marches against you. A lover’s sigh of happiness topples towers of hate.
The path from fear to love is but a single breath.
Share this:
Like this: