Woulda Coulda Shoulda

Wes and Julie in Manito Park, Spokane, WA

"Woulda coulda shoulda."

The late Dr. Wayne Dyer used those words to describe the state of mind some people drag around with them like a bag of useless, stinky refuse. Wherever they go, they're sure to open that bag, diminishing the present moment for not only themselves but for those around them.

My friend Bill was never like that. Every moment, he seemed fully engaged, completely thrilled to be alive. He would fondly reminisce about the past while at the same time fully appreciating the present. He would also plan for a future so rich with opportunity that he understood he may not have time to do it all. There was absolutely no time to waste.

Bill Bundy, R.I.P.

When he took his family on an MSC cruise to his family's ancestral home of Norway five years ago, he said it turned out to be all he could have imagined and more. He anticipated returning one day soon, but that was not to be.

Today, there will be a memorial service for Bill, because all of us eventually must make our transition from our human bodies, which I think of as being sort of like cars for our souls, to the next existence.

God gives us unknown expiration dates so that we each make the most of every single precious, present moment.

In this age of advanced medicine, relative world peace and ample nutrition for Americans, we sometimes begin to think we're almost immortal, with all the time in the world to live our dreams. We also think our friends and family will always be there.

Bridge in Manito Park, Spokane, Washington

While we don't know exactly how it feels to make that final transition ourselves, we all have lost family and friends, feeling regretfully that had we known the end was so near for them, we would've gotten together one more time, could've shared one more laugh and should've gone together to that place we talked about.

Losing loved ones never gets easy, but we should never become immobilized. Life is too short for that.

I've learned through experience that having future plans helps pulls us beyond those feelings of loss. We may continue on to that previously planned vacation with trepidation, but we discover in new horizons that life truly does go on, and if like me you trust that heaven truly does await those who try to live a moral life, then you recognize that the pain of loss is for those left behind. Those making the transition, like Bill, are off on a new adventure of their own.

Don't procrastinate planning and living your dreams until it is too late.