Editor's note: The following monthly perspective was written by National Horseman's publisher, Allison Lambert, appearing in the January 2017 issue.
Don’t Take Tomorrow For Granted
By Allison Lambert
We are all guilty of procrastination—postponing a dinner with friends because we’re too busy with work, ignoring a phone call from our mom or dad because we’re not in the mood for an hour-long conversation, or even letting our stubbornness prevent us from forgiving someone from our past. We live comfortably procrastinating because we take for granted the notion that these opportunities will still be there tomorrow. Procrastination is easy when tomorrow is guaranteed. However, every so often, we’re jarringly reminded that it’s not. It’s not until these moments we realize that betting on tomorrow is a high-stakes gamble to make.
The Saddlebred and Morgan communities recently suffered a terrible loss with the unexpected passing of one of its greatest supporters, Debra Hurst. Deb was not only an avid supporter of the breeds and a loyal customer to many, but someone I was lucky enough to call my dear friend. Her passing has been difficult for me to process to say the least, not only because it was sudden, but also because it reminded me just how precious each day is and the importance of living a life free of procrastination.
Just like everyone else, it’s easy for me to get consumed by my hectic schedule, so much so that procrastination becomes a common daily practice. Procrastination allows us to take time for granted and fool ourselves into thinking that our loved ones will be there tomorrow. For instance, I’ll get so wrapped up in work that everything else unintentionally takes a back seat, and before long, I realize that it’s been months since I’ve talked to my dad. I make the mistake of thinking that my dad will always be there, and it wasn’t until Deb’s passing that I was abruptly reminded that he won’t be.
Procrastination today can lead to living with regret tomorrow, so don’t let another moment pass you by. Call your parents and tell them you love them, make amends with people from your past, and seize every opportunity to spend time with your loved ones, because life is too short to procrastinate when it comes to matters of the heart. As Henry David Thoreau said, “You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, and find your eternity in each moment.”