We know today is Friday, and we usually try to give you something a bit more light-hearted to think about, as you head into the weekend. We'll do our best today, but it's not going to be easy.
Then again, nothing worth doing ever is.
For many folks in the media, right now, covering this insane manufactured debt ceiling crisis, where the Tea Party has taken the rest of the country hostage, we feel like we're at the end of the world. We can't tell you how many times we've heard that the economy is "going off a cliff" - and this is from people we work in the same industry with.
The fact is, there's no way to know exactly what's going to happen over this weekend, between now and the time you touch base with us again on Monday. There's no certainty of what's going to happen next week either.
Then again, that's pretty much how every day really is, even if we don't realize it most of the time.
We say this as we found out this week about a couple of media acquaintances, friends of friends who had been living good lives, filled with work, family, and friends - and now have been diagnosed with deadly conditions. One has been diagnosed with ALS and the other with a vicious cancer. While we're certain both will put up valiant fights, we know the long-term, and even mid-term prognosis for either isn't great.
In what may seem counter-intuitive, neither man swore to keep going with their regular lives, like nothing had happened, as you see in so many sappy Hollywood movies.
Both men did call their loved ones though; gathered their editors, producers, and fellow media partners; and told them all the news. Then, they each went back to doctors, and both have began treatments, of one kind or another.
And then they each went to their favorite grocery store, and stocked up. One finally joined Netflix.
They are living their lives - and that's exactly what we think you should do.
None of us every know when the script of our lives will change direction rapidly. We often think we know what's around the corner - but we really don't. So ask yourself... If that bottle of wine you've been saving for a special occasion never gets opened, what's the bigger crime? That you never had an occasion worthy of opening it? Or that you didn't celebrate with relish the occasions that you did have?
Go have dinner with a friend this weekend. Call someone you haven't talked to in a while - just because. You never use up all your monthly cell phone minutes anyway - why NOT make that call now? Write a letter. Sure, you may have to walk farther to mail it - and it will probably not arrive before the world economic situation drives off that cliff, like "Thelma & Louise". What the hell? Write that letter it anyway.
Make plans for LATE next week. Or next month. Or next year.
There are no guarantees in life, one way or another.
We don't necessarily recommend living life that country song, that implores you to "Live Life Like You're Dying."
We do recommend, simply, that you live life to the fullest every day.
