It’s been wonderful to share some of my favorite music, as well as a few thoughts to consider as we’ve navigated the ups and downs of 2021. You’ve helped me make it through all the obstacles by traveling beside me, with steadfast, sustaining support. I am so grateful to have you as a fellow traveler. The song serving as the background for my thoughts as this year nears conclusion has been recorded by Pete Seeger, The Byrds and Judy Collins, along with many others. It has the distinction of being the song on the No. 1 charts with the oldest lyrics (which were actually written by King Solomon). The title is “Turn, Turn, Turn (To Everything There Is A Season).”
As a new year will soon be dawning, I’m reflecting on the thoughts of Jim Valvano and thought I would share them with you:
Imagine there is a bank that credits your account each morning with $86,400. It carries over no balance from day to day. Every evening it deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to use during the day. What would you do? Draw out every cent, of course!
Each of us has such a bank. Its name is TIME.
Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it writes off as lost, whatever of this you’ve failed to invest to good purpose. It carries over no balance. It allows no overdraft. Each day it opens a new account for you. Each night it burns the remains of the day. If you fail to use the day’s deposits, the loss is yours. There is no going back. There is no drawing against the “tomorrow.” You must live in the present on today’s deposits. Invest it to get the utmost in health, happiness and success!
The clock is running. Make the most of today.
To realize the value of ONE YEAR, ask a student who failed a grade.
To realize the value of ONE MONTH, ask a mother who bore a premature baby.
To realize the value of ONE WEEK, ask the editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize the value of ONE HOUR, ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.
To realize the value of ONE MINUTE, ask a person who missed the train.
To realize the value of ONE SECOND, ask a person who just avoided an accident.
To realize the value of ONE MILLISECOND, ask an Olympic medalist.
Treasure every moment you have! And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special — special enough to spend your time with. And remember that time waits for no one.
In closing, I want to share a poem entitled “Today” by an anonymous author that helps me keep my priorities in order each day:
TODAY
Outside my window, a new day I see,
And only I can determine what kind of day it will be.
It can be busy and sunny, laughing and gay
Or boring and cold, unhappy and gray.
My own state of mind is the determining key,
For I am the person I let myself be.
I can be thoughtful and do all that I can to help
Or be selfish and think just of myself.
I can enjoy what I do and make it seem fun
Or gripe and complain and make it hard on someone.
I can be patient with those who may not understand
Or belittle and hurt them as much as I can.
But I have faith in myself and believe what I say,
And I personally intend to make the best of each day.
Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is mystery. Today is a gift — that’s why it’s called the present! Open and enjoy each one.
Thank you for the honor of being present in your life.
I Care, Barb
By Linda Johnson February 27, 2022
86,400 seconds to spend. So thought-provoking. Never to get them back. It really made me think about how I’m spending mine. Thanks
By Betty Sheppard January 17, 2022
Your poem, really is good. Thank you. And so very true.
By Judy A Culbertson January 5, 2022
How profound!
By Carol Mac Aulay January 3, 2022
Thank you for such lovely words and your poem. Have a wonderful 2022
By Rebecca Achilles December 22, 2021
You always know just what to say in song As I get older I find myself relating to different songs of my past for my different feelings! Thank you for sharing your message of time & may we all respect it one minute at a time! That may be all we have. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you!
By CK December 21, 2021
Thanks Barb for inspiring and making points well taken. Merry Christmas! Blessings!
By Colleen Stamberger December 21, 2021
Love it
By Nancy Hoffstadt December 21, 2021
What a wonderful message to read EVERY day! Thank you, Barb!
By Diane Johnson December 21, 2021
Thanks Barb
Wonderful post
By Shirley Renaud December 21, 2021
Dear Barb..you have been an inspiration to all of us with all the words and messages of encouragement..the songs..the quotes..all you’ve shared has been shared with our members. We look forward to next year knowing that you will be there giving us a gentle “push” > Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas followed by a healthy 2022!
Love
Shirley
By Gordon white December 20, 2021
Barb good comments I’ll put this one down in my scrapbook
By Colleen Lemkuil December 20, 2021
Today a neighbor brought Christmas cranberry homemade bread and I had a half piece and will freeze the rest for an upcoming brunch. I went out to eat and had soup and salad. I sept my garage, etc. but did not take time for real exercise. I will try and be better tomorrow. Thank you for sending this message during this hard time to resist.
By Tamson Darland December 20, 2021
Thank you so very much Barb. Wishing you much happiness, joy and health at each millisecond. Love Tamson
By Nancy December 20, 2021
Thank you so much for your inspiring words. I love that song.
By Nancy Strauss December 20, 2021
This is awesome because we take so much for granted. We all need to sit back and think before we act. And we will think on so many things we have never thought before. Love your blogs. Thank you and Merry Christmas.
By Nancy December 20, 2021
Thank you so much for your inspiring words.
By Diana Myhre December 20, 2021
Barb, thank you for the timely thoughts. My beloved husband John and a great Tops supporter passed away in October of pancreatic cancer. I miss him and his love. Diana
By Evie Nichols December 20, 2021
Thanks Barb, this is just what I needed today. You always say something that makes me stop and think about my journey and the path I have chosen! Loved the poem,
By Karen Tinlin December 20, 2021
Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful blog! My wordsmith friend never fails to deliver! Merry Christmas!
By Charlotte Brand December 20, 2021
Thank you so much
By Barb Maas December 20, 2021
Unbelievably inspiring & thoughtful Barb. A million thanks for sharing your level of intellect & introspective approach to issues with all of us. For me, your thoughts allow me to go past the all-to-many banal, meaningless cliches & consider issues at the depth of introspection they should be. Simply beautiful post …. I am honored to have someone like you in my life. We all are. Thank you for your continual support & caring.
By Heather McLean December 20, 2021
Thanks for this past year Brab! It has been great reading your Blogs every Monday even though I am not following TOPS ( or any other diet for that matter ☹ )
I really loved today’s poem!
Keep up the good work and All the Best in 2022
Heather