Create Your Future Nostalgia

Today, 67% of women with children under the age of 18 are employed, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Results from my own survey show that women find trying to be “Super Mom” is not so super – leaving them depleted, resentful, stressed, and feeling guilty. If you’re a working parent reading this, I’m sure I don’t have to tell YOU that!

 

As working parents, we want to get it all done AND feel good about it.  Don’t you wish that your future self could tell you what you can do so that you can stop trying to be “Super Mom” and live without regrets? Here is an opportunity to learn from someone with a lifetime of experience.  We can all learn something from her insight.  The late Erma Bombeck wrote this after she found out she had cancer:

If I Had My Life To Live Over

If I had my life to live over, I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the “good” living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television – and more while watching life.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for the day.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn’t show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, “Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.”

There would have been more “I love yous”.. More “I’m sorrys” …

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute… look at it and really see it … live it…and never give it back.

 

At the heart of this is what EVERY mother (or father) wants for themselves and family. Too often people wait until the opportunities are gone before learning these things. 

Instead of waiting, the beginning of 2009 is a great time to use forward thinking to create the memories (or future nostalgia) you desire for yourself, your family, and business.  What will you miss when it’s gone? Will you miss the time you didn’t spend or things you didn’t do with your children, family and self? Where do you want to take your business this year?  On December 31, 2009 what do you want to remember most about this year? 

Wasted time can only bring regret, sorrow and guilt.  Procrastination is a thief of time and livelihood.  Tomorrow is a mystery but you have the opportunity to create your future nostalgia NOW.  If you wait around for good things to happen, you will always be waiting. Your life and future is at your fingertips.  Believe it and live it.

As Erma realized and expressed, there’s no point trying to be “Super Mom” at the expense of really living your life. See my article Making Your Future Nostalgia a Realty for details on how to bring your future nostalgia to life.