Delaying Your Success for Someday

August 3, 2011

We’ve all said it or at least thought it... “I’ll get those closets cleaned out someday.” “Someday, I’m finally going to lose this weight.” “Someday I’m going to_____ (fill in the blank).” It would be nice if someday was a day of the week but it isn’t. All too often, we fail to take advantage of the time we are given, which results in missed opportunities to achieve our goals. To illustrate this point, I’d like to share a short story adapted in part from Sharon Frame’s A Chance Meeting with Time.

I ran into time today. He was moving with focused and deliberate speed. Hey, “slow down.” “Wait for me,” I yelled. “Take it easy.” “What’s your rush?” Time shot me a cutting glance and said, “I wait for no man, especially those who squander and abuse me.” Then he turned the corner and eased out of sight. I raced ahead to catch up with time but time just kept marching on like an old battle-worn soldier, he moved briskly to the cadence of a familiar drumbeat. Left, right, left right, tick-tock, tick-tock... Time marched on.

But Time’s passing insult had wounded me. It demanded an apology, or at the very least, a proper explanation of the charges laid at my door. When did I ever misuse or waste time, I thought with a huff? Suddenly, as though he heard my vexed protest, time stopped in his tracks and doubled back in my direction.

“What right have you to take offense to the truth?” he snapped. “I was there when you hit your snooze alarm repeatedly instead of getting up and exercising like you said you would. I was there when you said you were going to use me to plan your weekly menu and prep your food so you could eat healthier but instead you watched TV. I’m also there every time you use me as an excuse for not sticking with your goals.” “Step forward with proof if you have used me well.” Time waited for my reply but I stood still. His words pierced my heart and shamed me greatly. I cowered in a dark corner along the road, awestruck and speechless. My mind raced back to the many years lived unspent. The talent, the skills, all wasted as I waited for just the right time.

How clearly now I remember time’s earnest urging back then. “Now is the time,” he kept pressing. “Now is the time to live your dreams. Step out and walk in destiny. Pull on your faith and fly. You have what it takes to excel to great heights.” Oh, yes! I believed! I was convinced time was indeed on my side. But in that very moment of personal triumph, fear slithered in.

“Come now my child, he said, “is all this talk of living your dreams really practical or even realistic? Besides, you’ve got time; time to be cautious, be sure, and play it safe.” Yes, caution ruled that day, and countless others that followed. So now here I stand, beaten down by a life of quiet resignation and empty fulfillment. My dreams are dashed, my hopes long faded, now running very short on time. Can I somehow catch up and redeem the time? Recapture my dreams and truly live my purpose? I grappled desperately for an answer.

Time stood still, touched by my woeful state and shameless tears of regret. He looked at my downcast demeanor and said with a deep sigh; “I will pass this way again but I will not linger nor wait. He who is wise will heed the call to greatness. Those privileged enough to get a second chance, must seize this moment in time and run with determined urgency.”

Whatever your goals are, time will not wait for you to act. Stop waiting for someday, now is the time to act. John M. Richardson, Jr. said “When it comes to the future, there are three kinds of people: those who let it happen, those who make it happen, and those who wonder what happened.” Which on