The Privilege of Today

Some years ago, I vowed that I would never let another day slip by. I vowed that I would give all of my passion to my dream, that I would never settle for ‘good enough,’ and that I would never forget to let the people I love know how much I cherish them.

But, time marches on and distractions arise. Fear creeps in from the shadows and plants doubts inside my mind.

Then, every once in a while, something arises to remind me of my mortality. Today, that reminder came in the form of a news report about mass casualties sustained by the 3rd Ranger Battalion. I hope that the families of the fallen can find some peace. I hope that the injured heal. And I hope that those who were killed are in a better place. I hope for those things with all my heart. The fact is, hope and pray and mourn are the only things that I can do.

The one area where I have the power to do more is in my own life. I don’t want to forget the lessons that I learned while I was overseas so many years ago…the hard lessons and the wakeup call that this tragic news of the 3rd Battalion reminds me of today.

I don’t have any right to waste my days with fear and doubt. I’m alive. I’m here. I can still dream. And, so long as I’m here, alive and dreaming, it’s my duty to myself and to life to live the best that I can, to achieve my goals, to be the best friend and brother and son that I can be.

No more backing down. No more hesitation. Thank you life for the gift of this day…for the chance to prove that I will earn this privilege.