Have you said any of these phrases lately?
"I'm almost done..." -- or
"This will only take a minute..." -- or even
"Right after this one, I'll be free to spend time with you."
Each time I catch myself saying something like this, I'm reminded of the song by Harry Chapin called "Cats In The Cradle."
I know -- I'm showing my age -- but bear with me a minute.
The first verse begins like this:
"My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talkin' 'fore I knew it, and as he grew
He'd say "I'm gonna be like you, Dad
You know I'm gonna be like you."
The song goes on to describe a father who missed the significant moments of his son growing up because he was too busy. His focus was elsewhere -- and work, bills, and other priorities consumed his attention. At the end of the song, this father has a realization that you discover in the final verse:
I've long since retired, my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind."
He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I can find the time
You see my new job's a hassle and the kid's got the flu
But it's sure nice talking to you, Dad
It's been sure nice talking to you."
And as I hung up the phone, it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me
My boy was just like me
A dad who was too busy for his child raised a child who became too busy for his dad.
This is symbolic of what happens when we focus on the wrong priorities -- we miss significant moments and shape those around us to do the same.
Time has no do-overs. You and I are given the same 24 hours each day -- and when a moment is gone, it's gone for good. So daily, we must choose what we will trade our time for.
As you move throughout your day, I want to encourage you not to forget that each investment of time is a tradeoff. And that tradeoff must be aligned with what's most important to you.
John Wooden says this: "Do not let making a living prevent you from making a life."
Set your priorities, live according to them, and build a legacy you are proud to leave behind.
