I was sitting at dinner last night with my wife and daughter, who is really into singing “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” lately. As we sang the song twenty or so times at dinner, I did look at the two of them and realize that all of the good things in my life were just a dream to me, not that many years ago.
My wife, my daughter, the home we live in, my business, and so many other things that we enjoy in our life every day is something that I hoped for, and that we set out to create, together. While singing the song over and over, I started to think about the lyrics and how they relate to our life.
- Row, Row, Row Your Boat. The life we enjoy today was not just because of our dream, but the work that we have put into it, together. I want to continue to dream of the things we can do together, and work every day to achieve them.
- Gently down the stream. My friend Ed Jacboson reminded me recently that we too often think life is ’yes, but’, instead of ’yes, and’, as in “Yes, things are good, but they’ll be great when _______ happens.” Far too many times I strive and stress and worry, and it takes away from the joy that we all share together. I want more from life, and I want to be aware of the fullness that we have in the present moments that I easily miss.
- Merrily, Merrily, Merrily, Merrily. For those of you that know me, you know I can be a fairly serious person, and I’ve been that way since I was a kid (shocking, I know). The greatest gift I’ve received from my daughter is her love and laughter. I want to be more merry and for us to create more moments for us to laugh as a family and enjoy each other.
- Life is But a Dream. Today was yesterday’s dream, and I want to be more present. We all have wonderful gifts in our lives, even if we don’t always see them. My goal for the coming weeks is to see and appreciate those gifts and share them with those closest to me.
Where are you rowing your boat?
